Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing of Caregivers and Households of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) from a Low-Income South African Community

Abstract

This study reports on the health and psychosocial wellbeing of caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and members of their households in a low-income South African community. Participants were 54 guardians of OVC registered to receive support at the school based support center. The guardians' age ranged between 26–65 years, with 4 participants being men. Data on the health and psychosocial wellbeing of the participants were collected using a questionnaire designed by the authors to suit the socio-cultural characteristics of the population. Descriptive statistics were obtained using a computerised statistical package (SAS). Findings suggest that caregivers of OVC are themselves vulnerable in terms of poverty, burden of care and mental health problems, especially depression.

Keywords:

• life-events
• kin-fostering
• care of OVC
• care-giving in poverty
• psycho-social needs
• psychological risk
• Southern Africa
• depression
• extended family