Orphan Care in Malawi: Current Practices

HIV and AIDS has moved rapidly throughout sub-Saharan Africa, dramatically adding to the crisis of orphaned children on the continent. Knowledge of African responses to their problem is needed so that interventions from the global community are culturally appropriate. An assessment of 73 programs ca...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of community health nursing 2005-06, Vol.22 (2), p.105-115
Main Author: Beard, Betty J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AIDS
Assessment
Attitude to Health
Care
Child
Child care
Child Health Services - organization & administration
Child molestation
Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Children
Communities
Community Health Services - organization & administration
Cross-Sectional Studies
Food Services - organization & administration
Foster Home Care - statistics & numerical data
Health Services Needs and Demand
Health Services Research
HIV
HIV Infections - epidemiology
HIV Infections - prevention & control
Homeless Youth - statistics & numerical data
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Malawi
Malawi - epidemiology
Models, Organizational
Nursing
Orphanages - organization & administration
Orphans
Primary Health Care - organization & administration
Programmes
Residential Facilities - organization & administration
Self Care
Street children
SubSaharan Africa
Training
Villages
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Summary:HIV and AIDS has moved rapidly throughout sub-Saharan Africa, dramatically adding to the crisis of orphaned children on the continent. Knowledge of African responses to their problem is needed so that interventions from the global community are culturally appropriate. An assessment of 73 programs caring for over 100,000 vulnerable and orphaned children in Malawi was conducted. A cross section of programs throughout the country was visited. Three primary care strategies were found: community-based orphan care, institutional and residential care, and self-care. The model of care preferred by Africans is community based because this keeps a child in a family environment in their own village and tribe. By listening to the people of Africa, the worldwide community can learn how to work with them as they care for millions of orphaned children.
ISSN:0737-0016
1532-7655
DOI:10.1207/s15327655jchn2202_4