Marseille 2007
Marseille 2007
Abstract book
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Abstract #202  -  WHEN IS A CHILD CALLED AN AIDS ORPHAN confusion over definitions and implications for care
Session:
  40.2: Children (Parallel) on Tuesday @ 14.00-16.00 in PR Chaired by Lorraine Sherr, Peter Laugharn
Authors:
  Presenting Author:   Ms Rebecca Varrall - UCL, United Kingdom
 
  Additional Authors:  Prof Lorraine Sherr,  
Aim:
The global AIDS epidemic has left behind an ever increasing number of orphans and vulnerable children. It has been suggested that by the end of this decade there will be in excess of 25 million AIDS orphans globally, an issue which will require understanding and organisation of long-term medical, psychological and social support. These published facts have wide mobilisation effects and donor appeal, but do they help the child? Research and funding in this field has highlighted confusion surrounding the term orphan - a word loaded with practical and emotional significance. Often the term is used without definition, or is defined in multiple ways in the literature. With empirical evidence currently lacking for this sub-group, the need for a more concise definition is necessary to aid both future research and applied project work and to ensure that policy is not driven by problematic concepts
 
Method / Issue:
This research provides a systematic review of orphan-related studies to examine how often the term orphan was defined, and the manner in which it was classified e.g. death of mother, father, both parents or primary caregiver. The curious question of why children with a living parent are labelled as orphans will be explored. The systematic review included all articles with the terms AIDS/Orphans on a PubMed search (n = 360), and a keyword (Orphan) search of abstracts of the preceding two International AIDS Conferences (Bangkok (n =8057) and Toronto (n = 10,126). Psychosocial effects of orphaning are coded according to definition.
 
Results / Comments:
The systematic review generated 360 articles published with the term Orphans and AIDS, 65/8,057 from Bangkok (2004), 346/10,126 from Toronto (2006). Analysis of these provides an insight into findings according to definition (maternal, paternal, double, ambiguous). Data suggests a differential impact according to maternal vs- paternal loss. Many studies do not differentiate or define orphanhood. Maternal and paternal orphans are often included, single and double orphans are often conflated. Outcome measures and systematic differences will be provided. Multiple bereavement, where caregiver or family death has occurred will also be explored. The care and policy implications of orphan definitions, orphan identification and orphan placement will be analysed from a strategic and critical psychosocial perspective
 
Discussion:
The term orphan may require clarity of definition. Narrow definitions may underestimate the multiple bereavement burden on children. Labelling may bring with it stigma and burden. The policy, funding and emotional well being issues raised by current orphan definitions and profiling will have far reaching effects on well being of children affected by HIV/AIDS
 
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