Kasarani OVC program evaluation (KOPE)

Orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS (OVC-HIV) are disproportionately poor, malnourished, lack shelter, education, health care, and are at increased risk for acquiring HIV. St. Francis Community Hospital, Kasarani, Kenya provides essential services to 1,200 OVC-HIV and formed a partnership with Einstein to assess the need for HIV prevention and mental health (MH) focused programs for OVC 13-17 years. Community members including youth identified program needs through five focus groups. That information generated a needs assessment survey for OVC youth to document needed program components. We are reporting data from the mental health (MH-6 items) and HIV knowledge/attitudes (HKA-19 items) survey components only. Focus groups highlighted vulnerability of OVC's regarding lack of access to health information and support from adults, peer relationships in terms of risk behavior and need for building self-esteem. The data from 79 entered youth surveys (n=250 collected) had a mean age of 15.2; 54% were male and 42% had single parent. For MH, about 25% reported feeling lonely 'most of the time' (49% - 'some of the time'); 16% reported seriously considering suicide, 19% had plans and 24% had attempted it (1-6 or more times). For HKA, almost 82% knew where to get tested for HIV but only 36% knew how to use a condom or were aware of its effectiveness (34%). The current data suggests a need to address MH issues and promote HIV prevention education and condom skills for OVCs. We will combine local community wisdom and academic empirical expertise for program development.