The Experience of the AIDS Orphan in the Central and Eastern Regions of Ghana: Communication between Caregivers and Orphans Regarding HIV/AIDS
Loading...
Files
Date
2010-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
Because HIV/AIDS is highly stigmatized in Ghana, discussions between caregivers and orphans about familial AIDS deaths may be stifled. This senior honors thesis examines communication regarding HIV/AIDS between children and caregivers from three different children’s homes in the Central and Eastern Regions of Ghana. Twenty-two interviews with residents of institutional care facilities provide information about children’s knowledge of HIV/AIDS, their emotional reactions to the disease, and whom they are communicating with about HIV/AIDS. This study took place at a critical time for Ghanaian orphanages, because the implementation of the Care Reform Initiative of 2006 led to the closing and downsizing of many institutional care facilities across Ghana. Introductory questions that were designed to ease the participants into the interview process provide valuable insight into the high quality of life at these particular children’s homes, challenging assumptions about the inadequacy of institutional care.
Description
Keywords
HIV/AIDS, orphan, Ghana, Care Reform Initiative, stigma, education