AIDS Mitigation Project Impact on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Selected States in Nigeria

The AIDS Mitigation (AIM) project targeted Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in 15 states in Nigeria between October 2006 and October 2010. Key objective was to reduce the impact of HIV on OVC in affected households in Nigeria. Key intervention included a stop-gap nine months model schools called Acada Learning Centers (ALC) established specifically to help out-of-school OVC integrate into formal education system. OVC aged 6-17 were exposed to intensive English and mathematics class before reintegration to school formal schools while some were reintegrated directly. The end-of-project evaluation employed both qualitative and quantitative methods which included survey of 816 OVC that participated in the ALC, 684 OVC reintegrated directly into formal schools, and five focussed groups discussions with the two categories of OVC. Data collection included 14 key informant interviews with OVC teachers in the ALC and formal schools. Results showed that OVC reported increased ability to read (77% vs. 23%, p-value = 0.015), and write (75% vs. 25%, p-value = 0.000) after participation in ALC. Likewise reintegrated OVC's ability to read and write increased (12% vs. 72%, 12% vs.73%, respectively). Also, OVC reported improved access to other program facilities such as; birth certificate, immunization, bed nets, primary health care, and nutrition. The AIM program made significant difference in the literacy level and quality of life of the OVC that participated, and should be employed to reduce out-of-school syndrome in HIV/AIDS endemic societies.