Summary
This paper describes a recent study conducted jointly by the authors in the Khomas Region of Namibia. The study developed and trialled research and documentation methods regarding very young children who had been infected or affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Because of the stigma attached to the disease, effective methods for assessing ‘real’ needs of the target population have been elusive in Namibia and elsewhere. The aims of the project were to identify ways to assess the developmental needs of HIV/AIDS orphans and other children without parental support and to test methods for securing and documenting this information. The study included an investigation of how health, nutrition, education and social services are distributed throughout the target population and how services can be strengthened within contextual constraints. The authors will share aspects of their study, which can guide processes for similar research in other regions and areas. As well as research methods, the paper provides analyses of the components needed for supporting sustainable environments for HIV/AIDS infected and affected children, including supports for child headed households and other orphan-care programs.
Résumé
En raison du stigmate attaché à la maladie, les méthodes efficaces pour évaluer besoins réels de ‘les’ de la population de cible ont été évasives en Namibie et ailleurs les objectifs du projet étaient d’identifier des manières d’évaluer les besoins développementaux des orphelins de HIV/AIDS et d’autres enfants sans appui parental et d’examiner des méthodes pour fixer et documenter cette information. L’étude inclut une recherche sur la façon dont la santé, la nutrition, l’éducation et les services sociaux est distribuée dans toute la population de cible et la façon dont des services peuvent être renforcés dans des contraintes contextuelles.
Resumen
Debido a el estigma unido a la enfermedad, los métodos eficaces para determinar necesidades verdaderas del ‘ las ’ de la población de la blanco han sido evasivos en Namibia y a otra parte las punterías del proyecto eran identificar maneras de determinar las necesidades de desarrollo de los huérfanos de HIV/AIDS y de otros niños sin ayuda parental y de probar los métodos para asegurar y documentar esta información. El estudio incluye una investigación de cómo la salud, la nutrición, la educación y los servicios sociales se distribuyen a través de la población de la blanco y de cómo los servicios se pueden consolidar dentro de apremios del contexto. Los autores compartirán los aspectos de su estudio que pueden dirigir los procesos para la investigación similar en otras regnes y áreas.
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References
Haihambo, C., Hayden, J., Otaala, B., & Zimba, R. (2004).Assessment of services for young orphans and other vulnerable children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS in Windhoek: Windhoek: University of Namibia Press (cm(Excerpts from this study are available on http://www.healthychildhood.org)
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Hayden, J., Otaala, B. Very young children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS: How are they living? A case study from Namibia. IJEC 37, 11–19 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03165741
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03165741