AEGiS-15IAC: Experiences of Participatory Community Review with children in Coastal Andhra Pradesh in home/community based HIV/AIDS care and support programme.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Experiences of Participatory Community Review with children in Coastal Andhra Pradesh in home/community based HIV/AIDS care and support programme.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10012)

Mohammed MD
Vasavya Mahila Mandali, Vijayawada, India

ISSUE: We felt that children are also primary stakeholders hence the Participatory community Review was carried out to set the primary stakeholders feedback on the quality of services that NGOs are providing through this Care and Support Program. Program: Home/Community based HIV/AIDS Care and support program is an initiative of The Alliance and Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM) is the Lead Partner for Andhra Pradesh. This work has been developed in collaboration with International/India HIV/AIDS Alliance with primary funding from the European Union and Step Forward Programme of the Abbott Laboratories. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the International/India HIV/AIDS Alliance, or the donors.

RESULTS: Before the review the NGOs thought children might not be able to express their views and share the program experience. All the children participated actively they have opted drawing is the one of the tool in PCR. Some of the children wanted to participate in the program meetings and they wanted to join the meetings, which were conducted for the adults. One of the Children was questioning that they are discussing so many issues but why don't the NGO arrange some vocational course for their future when they don't get jobs even after completingEducation. And also said that if they are given vocational training they need not depend upon others or for a job for their livelihood. Many factors make children vulnerable in Andhra Pradesh, all of them related to poverty. Children become caregivers and breadwinners for their families. Siblings are often separated and are unable to look after one another.

LESSONS LEARNED: Children do have skills to express their own feelings during Participatory Community Review. Loss of parents due to HIV/AIDS, changes in household and family structure, lost income; grief and stress, love and affection resulted in creating an environment where it is difficult to care adequately for children's needs. Making the children as insiders of the program brings their priorities and needs.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Infections, Housing, Health Services Needs and Demand, Poverty, Caregivers, India, European Union, Child, Humans, Adult, economics, organization & administration

040711
D10012