 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
|
| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
OmoOlorun Olupona, MD, Health and Nutrition Team, World Vision Mozambique, Av. Agostinho Neto #620, Maputo, Mozambique, +258-1-350600, omoolorun_olupona@wvi.org and Milton B. Amayun, MD, MPH, Hope Initiative/Global Program on HIV/AIDS, World Vision International, 18745 Sioux Dr., Spring Lake, MI 49456-9712.
World Vision Mozambique (WVM)is an international NGO providing relief and development assistance to Mozambique, whose Human Development Index ranks 170th out of 173 countries monitored by UNDP. GDP per capita was $$854 in 2000; nearly 80% of the population subsists on $2/day. WVM is involved in emergency food distribution, health, literacy, HIV/AIDS and community development. Three WVM Area Development Programs (ADP) conducted a joint survey in 2002 to determine the enormity of the AIDS epidemic and to identify appropriate responses. The sample included 240 households (30 clusters of 8 households) in each of three ADP locations: Chidenguele, Mancajaze district; Inteta, Nacaroa district; Nyaterre, Morrumbala district. An equal number - roughly 1700 - of children (0-14 years) and adults (15-49 years) were interviewed, using a questionnaire that focused on prevention and care of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). The results of the study show these findings: 10% of households care for orphans; one-third of households are headed by grandparents, who are caring for their sick children and their grandchildren; knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention is high, but major gaps exist; vertical transmission is little known; condoms and abstinence were commonly known ways of prevention; radio was the pre-eminent source of information. Nearly all respondents reported suspected AIDS patients (sick for more than three months), but the health infrastructure is inadequate, and stigma persists as a barrier to efforts. Churches are an untapped resource for prevention and OVCs; their reach potentially covers 80% of Mozambique.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, International Public Health
Related Web page: www.wvi.org
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: World Vision International
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Full-time employment as Health and Nutrition Director for WV Mozambique