Author: Reese Sim

Study Title: Perception and determination of child maltreatment: Exploratory comparisons across three countries

Authors: Fakunmoju, S., Bammeke, F., Boaiakoh, T., Asante, R., Wooten, N., Hill, A. & Karpman, H.

Abstract: Little is known about perception and determination of child maltreatment across countries. Although differences in perception and determination of maltreatment across regions of a single country are well documented, comparative knowledge across countries remains sparse. This paper examines the results of an internet survey that investigates the perception of abusive behaviors and factors considered important in determining maltreatment in three countries (i.e., the United States, Ghana, and Nigeria).

[button link=”http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019074091300217X” color=”lightblue” newwindow=”yes”] Read More[/button]

Study Title: Effects and Processes Linking Social Support to Caregiver Health Among HIV/AIDS-Affected Carer-Child Dyads: A Critical Review of the Empirical Evidence

Authors: Casale, M., & Wild, L.

Abstract: There is evidence to suggest that social support may be an important resource for the mental and physical health of caregivers and children affected by HIV/AIDS, especially in HIV-endemic areas of the developing world. Drawing from theory on social relations and health, this intriguing systematic literature review argues that it is important to assess not only the existence and direction of associations, but also the effects and processes explaining these.

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The focus in this edition of The State of the World’s Children (2013) is to promote the inclusion of children with disabilities as equal participants in society. Inclusion goes beyond just integration, however. Inclusion requires that the current framework change in fundamental ways to help mitigate the institutionalized barriers to normal life associated with being disabled.

Often treated as objects of pity, or even worse as targets of discrimination and abuse, children with disabilities face many challenges. According to the report, they are more likely to live in poverty and are less likely to attend school or to have access to health clinics.  Around the world, only 51% of children with disabilities complete primary school, as compared to 61% of those without disabilities. 1 in 20 of those aged 14 or younger live with a moderate or severe disability of some kind. Girls, who are disabled, often face even more discrimination than boys, which can lead to malnutrition, low school attendance, and even infanticide. Beyond neglect and exclusion, children with disabilities can face verbal and physical abuse. Children with disabilities are three to four times more likely to be victims of violence. Caregivers of children with disabilities face the added strain of caring for a disabled child, and this strain increases the risk of abuse. To add to this problem, these estimates of abuse may be an underestimate as children with communication disabilities struggle to find ways to report their abuse.

 Despite these structural disadvantages, children with disabilities are capable of participating in society and contributing equally to the life of that community. Inclusion of children with disabilities around the world is possible if perceptions regarding the disabled change from those of shame and mistrust to those of solidarity and encouragement: “What is needed is a commitment to these children’s rights and their futures, giving priority to the most advantages- as a matter of equity and for the benefit of all.” Many countries have taken steps to emphasize the importance of greater equity for the disabled, signing and ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The conventions demand recognition of each child as a full member of his or her community rather than as passive recipients of care and protection. These Conventions are indicative of a growing global movement dedicated to the inclusion of children in community life.

This report includes seven chapters detailing the current challenges to achieving greater equity for the disabled as well as future actions that might be taken to confront these challenges. The report also includes perspectives and personal accounts from both individuals living with disabilities and individuals advocating on their behalf around the world.

Follow this link to read the full report and find other interactive media.

Study Title: Beyond the livelihood framework: aspirations and well-being in encounters with AIDS orphans in Mozambique

Author: Müller, T.R

Abstract: This chapter uses the resource profile approach as a framework to explore well-being and future aspirations among orphans and vulnerable children in Central Mozambique who took part in an AIDS mitigation project aimed at shoring up rural livelihoods. It is shown that participation in the project has altered the resource profile of participants, not least in terms of bolstering cultural resources and enhancing the capacity to aspire. This has wider implications for individuals’ resource profile dynamics more generally and strengthens the case for interventions into HIV/AIDS based on a holistic understanding of people’s well-being. It also shows that capital-asset-based livelihood approaches fall short in term of providing a useful framework to understand people’s lived realities.

[button link=”https://www.escholar.manchester.ac.uk/uk-ac-man-scw:192706″ color=”lightblue” newwindow=”yes”] Read More[/button]

Study Title: The Effectiveness of Educational Support to Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Tanzania and Uganda

Authors: Mary H. Shann, Malcolm H. Bryant, Mohamad I. Brooks, Paul Bukuluki, Denis Muhangi, Joe Lugalla, and Gideon Kwesigabo

Abstract: Little evidence is available to assist policy makers and donors in deciding what kinds of programs in developing countries are more likely to be effective in supporting the entry and continuation of OVC in secondary schools. This is particularly important for females whose education has direct bearing on child mortality in the next generation. This study gathered four kinds of educational outcome measures in two East African countries ravaged by the AIDS/HIV pandemic. The goal was to determine whether direct scholarship aid to individual students versus various forms of block grants would be more effective in promoting lower rates of absenteeism, lower dropout rates, higher national examination scores, and higher pass rates for OVC of both genders. Insufficient evidence was available for recipients of scholarships, but OVC with block grant support performed as well or better than their non-OVC counterparts, and significantly better than OVC without support. Contrary to popular belief, girls had lower rates of absenteeism. There were no gender differences in dropout. However, boys consistently outperformed girls on academic tests. Insufficient data systems continue to impede more detailed analysis.

[button link=”http://www.hindawi.com/isrn/ph/2013/518328/” color=”lightblue” newwindow=”yes”] Read More[/button]

Study Title: The benefits and necessity of recreation for AIDS orphans: Through the eyes of a child

Authors: CM Schreck, CDP Meyer, JT Weilbach, MM Steyn

Abstract: Millions of South African youth have been left behind as orphans as a result of the AIDS pandemic, turning to high risk behaviour to survive. These risk behaviours have a negative effect on their quality of life. To aggravate the problem further, most of these youths do not have access to recreation programmes and activities. The benefits obtained from recreation participation play a changing role in managing at-risk youth. The purpose of the study was to determine if recreation programmes are beneficial and a necessity for specifically AIDS orphans within a South African context, as seen from the youth’ perspectives. A qualitative research design was used. The participants were students at Thanda After-School Programme (Thanda ASP) (n=8), representative of the different programme areas offered by Thanda ASP. In-depth data collection methods were employed, using individual, semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The process resulted in two key categories: the benefits of this recreation programme and the necessity of these programmes for AIDS orphans. The participants stated that the recreation programme ensured health, emotional, social and psychological benefits to them, which therefore resulted in a better quality of life. The necessity was accentuated by the risk behaviours the youth reported before participating in the programme as well as by their need to learn and develop important skills. It is evident from the research that recreation programmes can address the problems that AIDS-orphaned youth face and that the benefits stated in the literature apply to AIDS orphans at Thanda as well.

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Study Title: Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Uganda; Are Orphans More Malnourished Than Non-Orphans

Author: Lubaale Yovani A. Moses, School of Statistics and Planning formerly Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda

Abstract: Many scholars and policy makers have often said that orphaned children are more vulnerable than any other children within the same environment in which they live. This paper compared the nutrition status of orphans and non-orphans to see if orphans were more malnourished and if not to investigate factors affecting nutrition of children. It is based on the 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey data. The analysis compared orphans and non-orphaned children in relation to the three anthropometric measures of underweight, stunting and wasting limiting itself to -2SD. The findings indicated that orphans (wasting-33.1%, underweight-17.0% and stunted-5.9%) were not more malnourished than non-orphans (wasting-39.2%, underweight-17.2% and stunted-6.5%). Results showed that maternal orphans (48.2%) are affected more in terms of nutritional indicators at least in the short term than paternal orphans (29.0%). The most important determinant on nutrition was the household wealth index and level of education of the mother for children living with their mothers in the same households.

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