223027 Adapting a Social Network Model for Social Reintegration of Vulnerable Children due to HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia

Monday, November 8, 2010

Mariano Kanamori, MA , PhD Candidate. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics., University of Maryland College Park School of Public Health, College Park, MD
Nolawi Eshetu, MSc , Salessian Missions, New Rochelle, NY
Olivia Carter-Pokras, PhD , Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Maryland, Silver Spring, MD
Jaime Correa , Salesian Missions, New Rochelle, NY
Background. Millions of Ethiopian children remain victims of, and vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. In 2007, there were 898,000 orphans because of AIDS. Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) suffer psychological, economic and social risks to health. It is crucial to develop theoretical models aimed at increasing access to and availability of compassionate, effective, and culturally appropriate services for OVC and their families. This study presents the methodology used for developing the foundations of a multi-level social network model for the social reintegration of Ethiopian OVC.

Methods. First, a literature review related to social networks, OVC and HIV/AIDS was performed. Second, our model was adapted using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention. The adapted model includes four interconnected levels: the individual level includes personal psychosocial characteristics. The relationship level embraces the relationship between people and their social environments. The community level includes community resources. The societal level includes cultural and national factors as well as policies. Third, the O'Donnell et al. Child Status Index (2008) guided the selection of sub-components and measurements for each level.

Results. A comprehensive multilevel theoretical model on social networks to support programs to reintegrate vulnerable children in Ethiopia was developed.

Conclusions.This model could help understand the association between OVC's educational and work success with characteristics of the child, the society, and the attributes of the broader environment. A cross-sectional study will refine the adapted model and an assessment of the reliability or the predictive validity will be performed.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Program planning
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify the components of a multilevel social network model

Keywords: Access and Services, Vulnerable Populations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a public health professional with more than 15 years of research experience at the national and international level.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.