PSYCHOSOCIAL PROBLEMS OF AIDS ORPHANED CHILDREN: THE CASE OF SIX CHILDREN IN HARAR
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Date
2006-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study attempted to examine the psychosocial problems of AIDS orphaned children keeping
in view the case of six orphans in Harar. Interview and focus group discu sion guides were
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employed to collect data from the respondents. Data were collected from six AIDS orphaned
children, their guardians and kebeles representatives who provide care and support for such
children and non-orphans peers. Accordingly, the data collected from the participants were
analyzed qualitatively.
The result revealed that, AIDS orphaned childrenface different psychological problems before,
during and after the death of their. parents. This includes grief, anger, guilty, fear, shock,
shame, anxiety, depression, hopel(!ssness and lowered self-esteem. Socially, they are subjected
to various problems such as, stigma, discrimination, mistreatment, self-isolation and abuse.
The guardians (caregivers) also face psychosocial problems. These include, shock, anger,
guilty, stigma, shame, inferiority and sociaL isolation. On the other hand, guardians
(grandparents), relatives and neighbors take those orphans as a burden, and Ireat them
unfairly.
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Accordingly, poverty, stigma, discrimination, mistreatment by their guardians,
dropping out of school are considered as causes that trigger the psychosocial problems of
orphaned children by AIDS. Hence, those children take their coping mechanisms sllch as
crying, praying and playing or sharing ideas with others.
Finally, the study concludes that, HNIAIDS affect the entire community. Social support system
may enhance the psychosocial well being of AIDS orphaned children. The provision of varioLis
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social support systems to those orphans and their guardians is the best strat8gy to reduce their
problems. Moreover, creating awareness among the community is a critical lIIeaSllre to
defense the psychosocial problems of children orphaned by AIDS. Ultimately, the study is
optimistic that, the revealations oJ. it would energize the perspective program planners to
incorporate its findings in to all of their future plans aimed at the welfare of AIDS orphaned
children
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The Case of Six Children in Harar