Psychosocial Needs of Children Affected by HIV and AIDS in Compassion Assisted Projects A Survey of Bushenyi Cluster

Abstract

The study was carried out to identify the psychosocial needs of children affected by HIV and AIDS in Bushenyi cluster of Compassion International assisted projects in Uganda. Compassion International certainly plays an important role in addressing physiological needs of children affected by HIV and AIDS. Despite this, the problem has not been explicitly addressed. So scarce is the information about this aspect that it is very difficult to even establish the very needs the affected children face. From a sampling of 103 affected children, the researcher administered semi structured questionnaires to a total of 100 out of which 70 were returned. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were also done with Church leaders, project workers and affected children in the projects. The findings were analyzed using Survey Gold, a web based programme. Themes were drawn and statistical information used to make inferences. Findings show that the process used for allocating new homes for the affected children in Bushenyi cluster leads to psychosocial distress among the children and recipient caregiver. One outstanding issue to note is the fact that children between 9-12 years exhibited more psychosocial needs than any other group. Secondly, in spite of the fact that children seemed emotionally well adjusted and socially more competent than would be expected, there was a general feeling of anxiety and lack of knowledge regarding their parents' death. The role played by project staff, church leaders, sponsors and teachers in encouraging and listening to the affected children seemed to have greatly influenced the way the children coped with death, loss and attendant risk factors prevalent in their social environments. 150 Abstracts The study recommends that Compassion International works closely with its church partners towards instituting training of parents/guardians in the areas of disclosure of sero status, succession planning and positive parenting. In addition to establishing community counsellors familiar with local realities to offer security and supportive coaching to the children, the component of child counselling with a specific bias towards addressing psychosocial needs should be considered. Lastly, the age group 9-12 years showed psychosocial needs that demand immediate