NCJ Number
214411
Editor(s)
Elaine Ireland
Date Published
February 2006
Length
56 pages
Annotation
This study relied on the perspectives of children who were vulnerable to and affected by HIV/AIDS to determine how the impacts of HIV/AIDS on children differed in the countries of the Southeast and East Asia region.
Abstract
This report recommends developing and implementing HIV information and education programs specifically designed for children. Such programs should reach street children, rural children, working children, out-of-school children, children who migrate, and children living without adequate adult care. Programs for children directly affected by HIV/AIDS should ensure that they have access to sufficient and nutritious food, clothing, shelter, education, and health care. Clinical services to people living with HIV/AIDS should be improved, especially for those who are parents, with attention to the prevention of mother to child transmission, the availability of antiretroviral therapy, and voluntary counseling and testing. Lack of knowledge about HIV and its prevention combines with a lack of adequate adult care, lack of life skills, and exploitation to place large numbers of children at increased risk for HIV infection. Children directly affected by HIV/AIDS experience adverse impacts in virtually every aspect of their lives: economic, education, emotional, and social. In every country in the Southeast and East Asian region there is some access to services related to prevention, care, and support. All countries present HIV/AIDS awareness messages and conduct prevention activities and campaigns; however, prevention education often does not reach children at increased risk of HIV/AIDS. The research was conducted between July and November 2005. A total of 2,292 people participated in the research as respondents; of these, 1,633 were children. 111 notes and an appended summary of research goals