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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Nujjaree Chaimongkol, PhD, MCH Nursing Department, Burapha University, Faculty of Nursing, 169 Longhad Bangsaen St., Chonburi, 20131, Thailand, 0066-6825-4663, nujjaree@buu.ac.th

Besides eating behaviors, food availability is a major factor for a child to obtain appropriate bodyweight, which is a significant indicator for child growth. Caregivers play a significant role to provide food for their caretakers, especially school-age orphans. This cross-sectional study is aimed to examine bodyweight of school-age orphans affected by HIV/AIDS and determine the prediction of caregivers' background on bodyweight of the school-age orphans. The convenience sample included 70 children, whose at least one biological parent died from AIDS, in a suburban and low-income area in Thailand. They were 6 to 12 years old, and HIV seronegative. Forty-six percents were boys and 54% were girls. Data were collected during home visit using a demographic questionnaire and a standardized weighing scale. Mean weight of the sample was 27.85 kilograms (Kgs), 27.66 Kgs for boys and 28.02 Kgs. for girls. There was no significant difference of bodyweight between orphan boys and girls. 91.4% of the children were appropriate weight for age (within + 2 SD), and 4.3% (+ 2SD) and 4.3% (- 2SD) were inappropriate weight for age. There were no association among caregivers' characteristics and the child weight. Education of caregivers was the only significant predictor of the orphan weight, and it accounted for 7.1%. This finding suggested that caregivers' education contributed to the prediction of school-age orphans affected by HIV/AIDS. In addition, it also indicated that education of caregivers who take care of children affected by HIV/AIDS need to be promoted.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Discuss the prediction of caregivers’ characteristic on bodyweight in school-age orphans affected by HIV/AIDS.
• 2. Articulate other external indicators that need to be investigated for their influences on bodyweight in school-age orphans affected by HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: Children's Health, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation