Helping Children Live with HIV: A community-based approach to living positively

3.34 million children live with HIV, a mere fraction of all children otherwise affected by HIV. In South Africa alone 70 million children have been orphaned or experience HIV stigma. HIV-affected children are often abused or neglected due to familial strain during crucial developmental points, leading to detrimental social and cognitive effects persisting into adulthood. Research also suggests seropositive children often suffer adverse neurological effects, such as motor impairment and lowered language acquisition abilities.

Caregivers and community health workers (CHWs) need tools to address the needs of HIV-affected children. Hesperian is developing a new resource, Helping Children Live with HIV, with information about how to communicate with children about HIV, prevent sexual abuse, support early childhood development, and prevent common medical problems in children at from ages 0-6. Information is contextualized for people living in high-stigma communities, and is attuned to the physical and monetary barriers to receiving care. Materials were field tested in 12 countries, including Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Kenya, and Uganda. During field tests, participants used materials and provided qualitative feedback and suggested improvements.

Caregivers responded positively to CHW-taught information, which integrated psychosocial support information with information on early childhood development and medical interventions. Field-test participants planned to incorporate this integrated approach into their programming.  Increased outreach to caregivers is a crucial intervention, and efforts need to be made to increase caregiver’s capacities at home. Materials will be through the dissemination of print books and via a free, online HealthWiki, accessible via mobile device in remote areas.