HIV Risk Exposure Among Young Children

A study of 2-9 year olds served by public health facilities in the Free State, South Africa

This survey researches the little-known impact of HIV/AIDS on children. It investigates HIV prevalence rates among children, the risk factors that predispose them to becoming infected and the effects of the epidemic on their care and support. This study forms part of the larger Nelson Mandela/HSRC study of HIV/AIDS

In response to the AIDS epidemic and poverty, the Zimbabwean government and other organisations are implementing various programmes aimed at assisting orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in the eight districts surveyed. It is clearly important to have an audit of the social services and support structures available for OVC in the eight districts and to have a clear understanding of the situation of OVC including their needs and concerns in order to have proper prioritisation, designing and evaluation of programmes that are aimed at supporting the affected children.

This report forms part of a series that examines the work undertaken as part of the Kellogg OVC Intervention Project from 2002 to 2005

Mother-to-child transmission is by far the largest source of HIV infection in children below the age of 15. This report presents the results of research conducted at a pilot site in the Eastern Cape into the use of resources associated with the implementation of a PMTCT (prevention of mother-to-child transmission) programme.