- Author
- Verma, Ravi K.; S. Salil; Veera Mendonca; S. K. Singh; R. Prasad; R. B. Upadhyaya
- Title
- HIV/AIDS and Children in the Sangli District of Maharashtra (India) (preliminary version)
- In
- AIDS, Public Policy and Child Well-Being
- Editor
- Giovanni Andrea Cornia
- Imprint
- UNICEF, 2003, p. 53
- Url
- http://www.unicef-icdc.org/research/ESP/aids/chapter8.pdf
- Abstract
"In order to assess the impact of an adult HIV/AIDS-related death on the household in general and children in particular, a comparative study of the three types of households was undertaken in Sagli district of Maharashtra. A total of 118 households with an HIV/AIDS death, 100 households with a non-HIV/AIDS related death and 100 households with no deaths were included in the survey. A significant negative impact on the economy of households where an active adult has died due to HIV/AIDS was clearly evident from the responses. Households with HIV/AIDS deaths have reported reduced savings during the period of observation, reduced expenditures on consumer durable items, and disposal of assets in order to raise or supplement income. On social front they have reportedly experienced discriminations and few of them have had to send their children away to distant relatives, and withdraw children from school. Adult deaths due to HIV/AIDS also impacted negatively upon children’s ability to access both health and education. While the members of the extended family provide orphans with the shelter, it is obvious that several of these children do not receive continued education and health care when needed. The impact on both households and children is much more negative in case of those which are socially and economically disadvantaged. The negative attitude towards people with HIV/AIDS was found to be quite widespread. People living with HIV/AIDS spent huge amount of money to get cure. This study clearly points out towards a need of a comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS which includes efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination at all levels; developing supportive network system for the women and the orphans; and more specifically preparing families to provide for children in the eventuality of death of both the parents or one of the parents."