AIDS in the family and community: the impact on child health in Malawi
Kidman, R.; Hanley, J.A.; Subramanian, S.V.; Foster, G.; Heymann, J.
Social Science and Medicine 71(5): 966-974
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 1873-5347 PMID: 20591547 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.05.027Document Number: 213090
Pediatric HIV infections jeopardize children's health and survival. Much less is known about how the experiences of being orphaned, living with chronically ill parents, or living in a severely affected community impact child health. Our study responds by examining which HIV/AIDS-related experiences place children at greatest risk for poor health. Data from the 2004-2005 Malawi Integrated Household Survey were analyzed using logistic multilevel modeling to examine whether HIV/AIDS-related experiences within the family and community predicted reported health status among children age 6-17 years. We found higher burdens of acute and chronic morbidity for children whose parents have an AIDS-related illness. No other AIDS-related exposure, including orphanhood and recent household deaths, demonstrated a clear relationship with health status. Children living with sick parents may be at increased risk due to the spread of infectious disease and receiving limited adult care. Community home-based care programs are best situated to identify children in these difficult circumstances and to mitigate their disadvantage.
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