224270 A culturally-relevant exemplary model of care for OVC's in Swaziland: Sustainability, caregiver support and child health outcomes

Monday, November 8, 2010 : 3:06 PM - 3:24 PM

Michelle Desmond, MSW, MPHc , School of Public Health Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Tegan Callahan, MPH , Public Health Prevention Service, CDC Public Health Prevention Service Fellow/Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, Washington, DC
Laura Mitchell, MEd , SPARK Center, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA
Background: Estimates suggest by 2010 10% of the population in the Kingdom of Swaziland will be orphans from HIV/AIDS related causes. From 2000-2004, twenty-six new residential care homes for orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) opened. Currently, there are no regulations guiding the expansion of these interventions. This project addresses the gap in information on successful residential care programs for OVCs by evaluating an exemplary model of care. Following the evaluation, a case study resource was developed identifying the program model and outlining the essential components necessary in replication. Methods: Likhaya Lemphilo Lensha is a culturally relevant facility for children left without alternative care, a particularly vulnerable subset of orphans in Swaziland. The evaluation questions were designed to gather both descriptive and specific information on three main areas: (1) the positive health and social outcomes of the children, (2) the caregiver support factors, and (3) the sustainability of the project. Data was collected through key informant interviews and the Child Status Index (CSI). Results: The CSI measures suggest positive outcomes for the children placed at Likhaya Lemphilo Lensha. Qualitative findings suggest central tenants for effective program operation and caregiver support include sense of permanent home and family, ongoing caregiver support, and independent food security. Conclusions: The project offers practical resources for the support of orphan care programming. The social impacts of HIV/AIDS in Swaziland demand innovative approaches to meeting the basic needs of children, including quality residential care as an aspect of orphan care response in prolonged disaster and emergency situations.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Attendees will be able to: 1. Evaluate best practices and potential impact of holistic, permanent residential care as an impact mitigation response within HIV/AIDS epidemics in Southern Africa. 2. Describe a culturally competent model of residential orphan care in Swaziland. 3. Compare outcomes from Likhaya Lemphilo Lenshe to other residential care facilities in Swaziland. 4. Analyze impact of residential care on child mental health, and health outcomes as a resiliency factor.

Keywords: Child Care, Practice-Based Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I completed this work as part of my MSW and MPH coursework. I also previously worked in Swaziland for 2 years.
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.