An Assessment of a Home-Based Program for Children Orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Cameroon Africa

Abstract

More than four-fifths of all children orphaned by AIDS worldwide live in Sub-Saharan Africa. In response to the growing number of orphans, governments, civil society, and international organizations have implemented programs to provide protection, care, and support to these children. However, few of these programs have assessed their effectiveness. The Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Service Chosen Children Program provides home-based services, which include HIV screening, payment of school fees and medical care, nutritional assistance, psychosocial support and counseling, and monitoring through home visitation. Quantitative and qualitative data are provided that show that orphans served by the Chosen Children's Program stayed within their family homes, were in school longer, and achieved more school success than did orphans not receiving services.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV/AIDS
• home-based intervention
• home visitors
• orphans
• school success

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We wish to thank the North American Baptist Conference for their steadfast financial support of and encouragement to the Chosen Children Program. The Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation has also provided needed financial assistance in an urgent situation. We wish to especially thank Dr. Alice Lakati, Solomon Nzyuko, Nicoline Bambo, Benjamin Wanyu, Edith Yufenyuy, Divine Ngala Ndzibidtu, Ophelia Amah, and Moses Chiasieh for their assistance, which enabled this assessment to be accomplished.

Notes

*Significant at p < .01.

*Significant at p < .01.

Note. Control group n = 85 (15 children not in school).

*Significant at p < .01.