Assessing the health status of young AIDS and other orphans in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Summary The huge number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) orphans is an important feature of the epidemic in sub‐Saharan Africa. There are few and conflicting data on the effects of being orphaned on health and nutrition in the highly affected HIV endemic areas of Africa. This study reports findings from a cross‐sectional survey on associations between orphan status and health and nutrition parameters in young children of urban Uganda. A high prevalence of orphans was reported from a central Kampala community, with 41% being attributed to HIV/AIDS. Although there was a higher prevalence of self‐reported morbidity in orphans than non‐orphans, there were no differences in reported treatment seeking behaviour and measured anthropometric parameters. Hence it seems that the extended family system still manages to care for young orphans. Paying school fees for older children should be the primary target for HIV/AIDS impact mitigation programs in urban Uganda.

Demographic and clinical features of orphans and nonorphans at a pediatric HIV centre in North India

“…8,14 The findings of our study are in contrast to the Mumbai study which found that despite the death of one or both parent(s), the children were being adequately taken care of by the extended family caregivers. 9 The orphans more frequently presented with severe immunosuppression and had a higher prevalence of opportunistic infections.…”

The vulnerability of orphans in Thyolo District, southern Malawi

“…Two differences between northern and southern Malawi are that the south is much poorer and has matrilineal culture. Sarker et al (2000) have also reported in their study from Kampala, Uganda that the health and nutrition status of orphans were similar to non-orphaned children.…”

Care arrangements, grief and psychological problems among children orphaned by AIDS in China

“…Orphans have lower school attendance, lower school completion rates, and/or are less likely than non-orphans to be at the age-appropriate grade level (Bicego, Rutstein, & Johnson, 2003;Makame et al, 2002;Monasch & Boerma, 2004;Nyambedha et al, 2003b;Nyamukapa & Gregson, 2005). Although mixed results about physical health and health care access have been reported among orphans as compared with non-orphans (Crampin et al, 2003;Lindblade, Odhiambo, Rosen, & DeCock, 2003;Masmas et al, 2004;Nyambedha et al, 2003a;Nyambedha et al, 2003b;Sarker, Neckermann, & Muller, 2005), psychological problems have been consistently observed among orphans (Atwine, Cantor-Graae, & Bajunirwe, 2005;Cluver & Gardner, 2006;Makame et al, 2002;Pelton & Forehand, 2005). Orphans have markedly increased internalizing problems and higher levels of anxiety, depression, anger, and depressive disorders, as compared with their counterparts (Atwine et al, 2005;Makame et al, 2002).…”

“…A substantial literature exploring the impact of orphanhood on the well-being of children has emerged in the past few years. A wide range of topics has been discussed in the literature, including living situation, physical health, schooling, bereavement process, and psychological well-being (Makame, Ani, & Grantham-McGregor, 2002;Masmas et al, 2004;Monasch & Boerma, 2004;Safman, 2004;Nyamukapa & Gregson, 2005;Sarker, Neckermann, & Muller, 2005;).…”