Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #104526

Marlene Doring, MSc, Nursing School, University of Passo Fundo, Av. Dr Arnaldo, 715 sala 218, Sao Paulo, 01246-904, Brazil, Ivan Franca-Junior, MD PhD, School of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Avenida Dr. Arnaldo, 715 2o.andar, Sao Paulo, 01246-904, Brazil, 55 11 30 66 71 27, ifjunior@usp.br, and Isete Stella, Porto Alegre Health Department, Av. Antonio de Carvalho, 2600/271 - BL 04, Porto Alegre, 91.430-000, Brazil.

There are increasing numbers of orphans due to AIDS, especially in countries without universal free AIDS treatment. Because institutionalization is associated with bad health and developmental outcomes, we identify the factors associated with institutionalization of orphans due to AIDS in a population-based survey in a city in southern Brazil. Using AIDS mortality and health care registries from 1998-2001, a cross-sectional study was conducted among the caregivers of children aged 0-15 years who were the survivors of parents dying of AIDS in Porto Alegre. Data were collected by a household survey using a structured questionnaire. Of 1,131 orphans identified, 75.4% of their caregivers participated. Among participants, 71% had lost their father and 50% their mother; 21% had lost both parents. At the time of the survey, 41% of the children lived with the mother, 25% with grandparents and 5% in institutions. In multivariate analysis, HIV positivity multiplied the child's chances of living in an institution by a factor of 4.6, losing its mother by 5.9, losing both parents by 3.7, and having a non-white mother by 4.0. This study provides population-based data on what has become of the children of persons dying of AIDS. Improving the quality of life and averting institutionalization of orphans due to AIDS requires interventions to promote the survival of mothers living with AIDS as well as specific interventions for child family placement. Reducing the stigma of HIV infection in children and racial discrimination present challenges in Brazil.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe a reliable method of estimation of orphanhood due to AIDS
• Discuss factors associated to institutionalization of orphans due to AIDS

Keywords: Adoption, Children and Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.