Document Type

Brief

Publication Date

2008

Abstract

In 2005, approximately 17 percent of the population of reproductive age in Zambia was infected with HIV and nearly 710,000 under the age of 18 were orphans. As the needs of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) escalate, communities are seeking new ways of helping those affected by the disease. A Horizons intervention study conducted in northern Zambia from 2000–02 found that youth could be trained to help meet the care and support needs of PLHIV and their families, including OVC. Study participants belonged to anti-AIDS clubs that taught about HIV and how to prevent infection. Findings indicated that trained youth caregivers could meet a range of needs of PLHIV and OVC and that their efforts contributed to decreased isolation and stigmatization of AIDS-affected families. As noted in this brief, the focus of the follow-up phase (2003–05) was to strengthen local capacity to manage and sustain care and support activities by young people in the face of decreased input from Horizons. At the end of the follow-up phase, Horizons researchers examined the extent to which anti-AIDS clubs continued caregiving activities, sustained partnerships with local organizations, and mobilized resources to support the program.

DOI

10.31899/hiv12.1005

Language

English

Project

Horizons Program

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