Mthembu PM; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).

Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. D10769.

NGO, Durban, South Africa

Issues: For children living in HIV infected households, children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and children who are themselves HIV positive, basic rights to food, housing, and health care are violated to such an extent that their survival is threatened. Description: The primary focus was on motivation, coping skills development and communication skills development. The focus was not specifically on coping with HIV in their family, but instead was to develop skills for positive living that could be used regardless of their status. The other main objective of the project was to prepare the students for either the disclosure of their parents' HIV status and/or the death of their parents. The sessions allowed the students to develop skills, attitudes and values that would help them to deal with the circumstances of their lives. During the final session with the parents, the main objective was to get feedback from the parents on their views on the project and what had happened in their families as a result of their children's participation. Lessons learned: The ultimate success of the project was that the students were able to express their emotions in a positive way, they developed a sense of hope for the future and they were able to develop skills that to help them to communicate in a healthy manner with their parents and others. Recommendations: Develop an ongoing project for the students to provide support, more skills development, and problem solving on an weekly basis. The need for referrals to community services that will help them address their needs for food, clothing and housing. Additional programs such as this that allow more youth to develop positive life skills that will assist them as they face the death of their parents from AIDS. More involvement of the parents with the children in discussing death and the future of their children.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Adolescent
• Behavior
• Child
• Demography
• Family
• Family Characteristics
• Foster Home Care
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Health Services Needs and Demand
• Humans
• Parents
• Students
• education

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0033619

UI: 102277835

From Meeting Abstracts