Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Shikha Verma ¹, Swaran Lata ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, U.P., IN

Abstract

This article systematically reviews the literature pertaining to nutritional status and anti-retroviral treatment (ART) adherence of HIV/AIDS orphans. Studies related to HIV/AIDS orphans belonging to the age group of 0 to 15 yrs, who had lost either or both parents to HIV/AIDS and are cared by non-parents were selected for the purpose of the review. The review indicates that there is low nutritional status of HIV/AIDS orphans and they suffer from various co-morbid infections. They have good ART adherence rate and ART effectively increased their CD4 count and weight. Proper attention medical and health care, nutrition, school-based care, life skills training, sexual and reproductive health awareness, psychological counseling and support interventions are required for improving ART adherence and nutritional status of HIV/AIDS orphans.

Keywords

Art Adherence, Nutritional Status, HIV/AIDS Orphans.

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Swaran Lata ¹, Varsha Singh ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, IN

Abstract

Senior secondary school children of government and private school in Grades 11-12 (N = 400), girls (200) & boys (200) were surveyed to assess their HIV/AIDS awareness and HIV/AIDS related stigma. HIV/AIDS related stigma and HIV/AIDS awareness was measured by using the HIV/AIDS stigma scale (Genberg & Kawichai et al., 2007) and AIDS awareness questionnaire (Asthana) respectively. The finding reveal that there is significant group and gender difference in the HIV/AIDS related stigma and HIV/AIDS awareness among the students of private and government schools. Majority of the students had less awareness about HIV/AIDS and thus they were more stigmatized about the disease. Risk behaviours and attitudes are adopted in young ages therefore it's very important to start imparting HIV education from early years, right from school. This would help in increasing the knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS and also reducing HIV related stigma in young population.

Keywords

HIV/AIDS Awareness, Stigma, Government And Private School.

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