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Apedaile D, DeLong A, Sang E, Ayuku D, Atwoli L, Galárraga O, Hogan J, Braitstein P. HIV Incidence and Death Among Orphaned and Nonorphaned Children and Adolescents Living in Family-Based Settings in Western Kenya: A Prospective Cohort Analysis. J Pediatr 2023; 258:113410. [PMID: 37030609 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2023.113410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the incidence of HIV, death, and abuse among orphaned children to nonorphaned children living in households caring for orphaned children in Western Kenya. STUDY DESIGN A random sample was taken of 300 households caring for at least one orphaned child in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. All orphaned and nonorphaned children in each selected household were enrolled in a prospective cohort study between 2010 and 2013. A total of 1488 children (487 double orphans, 743 single orphans, and 258 nonorphans) were followed up annually until 2019. Survival analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the association between the number of parents the child had lost (none, 1, or 2), and HIV incidence, death, combined HIV incidence or death, and incident abuse. RESULTS Among 1488 children enrolled, 52% of participants were females, 23 were HIV positive, and the median age was 10.4 years. Over the course of the study, 16 orphaned children died and 11 acquired HIV. No deaths or incident HIV infections were observed among the nonorphaned children. Among children who were HIV negative at enrollment, loss of a parent was strongly associated with incident HIV (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.21 per parent lost, 95% CI: 1.03-4.73) and HIV or death (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.46 per parent lost, 95% CI: 1.37-4.42). There were no significant associations between orphan level and abuse. CONCLUSIONS In similar households, orphaned children experience a higher risk of HIV and death than nonorphaned children. Both orphaned children and the families caring for them need additional support to prevent adverse health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy Apedaile
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Allison DeLong
- Center for Statistical Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Edwin Sang
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - David Ayuku
- Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Lukoye Atwoli
- Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya; Brain and Mind Institute, and Medical College East Africa, The Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Omar Galárraga
- Department of Health Policy, Services, and Practice and International Health Institute, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Joseph Hogan
- Center for Statistical Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Paula Braitstein
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya; Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
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Gayapersad A, Embleton L, Shah P, Kiptui R, Ayuku D, Braitstein P. Using a sociological conceptualization of stigma to explore the social processes of stigma and discrimination of children in street situations in western Kenya. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023; 139:104803. [PMID: 33220945 PMCID: PMC8128938 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The leading causes of street involvement worldwide are poverty, family conflict, and abuse. A common misconception is that street involvement is due to delinquency, a belief leading to social exclusion and social inequality for children in street situations (CSS). Exploring community perceptions of CSS and the reproduction of social difference and inequalities can help reduce stigma and discrimination. OBJECTIVE To explore how stigma and discrimination of CSS was produced and reproduced in specific contexts of culture and power. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Social actors including CSS, healthcare providers, children's officers, and police officers in western Kenya. METHODS Using a sociological conceptualization of stigma, this qualitative study explored the stigmatization processes that take shape in specific contexts of culture and power. We conducted 41 in-depth interviews and 7 focus group discussions with a total of 100 participants. RESULTS CSS were often labeled "chokoraa" or garbage picker, a label linked to undesirable characteristics constituting "evils" in society and stereotyped beliefs that they were "delinquents," reinforcing their "otherness" and devalued social status. CSS experienced individual and structural discrimination leading to exclusion from social and economic life. CONCLUSION CSS were stigmatized when labeled, set apart, and linked to negative characteristics leading to their experience of status loss and discrimination. CSS's differentness and devalued status served to limit their access to societal resources and deemed them unworthy of equal rights. Interventions involving various social actors are needed to challenge negative stereotypes, reduce stigma, and uphold CSS's human rights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison Gayapersad
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Health Sciences Building, 155 College Street, 6th Floor, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Lonnie Embleton
- Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Room 2374, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Pooja Shah
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), P.O. Box 4606-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Reuben Kiptui
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), P.O. Box 4606-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - David Ayuku
- Moi University, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Behavioural Science, P.O. Box 4606-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Paula Braitstein
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Health Sciences Building, 155 College Street, 6th Floor, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada; Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), P.O. Box 4606-30100, Eldoret, Kenya; Moi University, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, P.O. Box 4606-30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
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Wilson-Barthes M, Braitstein P, DeLong A, Ayuku D, Atwoli L, Sang E, Galárraga O. Cost Utility of Supporting Family-Based Care to Prevent HIV and Deaths among Orphaned and Separated Children in East Africa: A Markov Model-Based Simulation. MDM Policy Pract 2022; 7:23814683221143782. [PMID: 36601384 PMCID: PMC9806382 DOI: 10.1177/23814683221143782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose. Strengthening family-based care is a key policy response to the more than 15 million orphaned and separated children who have lost 1 or both parents in sub-Saharan Africa. This analysis estimated the cost-effectiveness of family-based care environments for preventing HIV and death in this population. Design. We developed a time-homogeneous Markov model to simulate the incremental cost per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) averted by supporting family-based environments caring for orphaned and separated children in western Kenya. Model parameters were based on data from the longitudinal OSCAR's Health and Well-Being Project and published literature. We used a societal perspective, annual cycle length, and 3% discount rate. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were simulated over 5- to 15-y horizons, comparing family-based settings to street-based "self-care." Parameter uncertainty was addressed via deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Results. Under base-case assumptions, family-based environments prevented 422 HIV infections and 298 deaths in a simulated cohort of 1,000 individuals over 10 y. Compared with street-based self-care, family-based care had an incremental cost of $2,528 per DALY averted (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1,798, 2,599) and $2,355 per quality-adjusted life year gained (95% CI: 1,667, 2,413). The probability of family-based care being highly cost-effective was >80% at a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $2,250/DALY averted. Households receiving government cash transfers had minimally higher cost-effectiveness ratios than households without cash transfers but were still cost-effective at a WTP threshold of twice Kenya's GDP per capita. Conclusions. Compared with the status quo of street-based self-care, family-based environments offer a cost-effective approach for preventing HIV and death among orphaned children in lower-middle income countries. Decision makers should consider increasing resources to these environments in tandem with social protection programs. Highlights UNICEF and more than 200 other international organizations endorsed efforts to redirect services toward family-based care as part of the 2019 UN Resolution on the Rights of the Child; yet this study is one of the first to quantify the cost-effectiveness of family-based care environments serving some of the world's most vulnerable children.This health economic modeling analysis found that family-based environments would prevent 422 HIV infections and 298 deaths in a cohort of 1,000 orphaned and separated children over a 10-y time horizon.Compared with street-based "self-care," family-based care resulted in an incremental cost of $2,528 per DALY averted (95% CI: 1,798, 2,599) and $2,355 per quality-adjusted life year gained (95% CI: 1,667, 2,413) after 10 y.Annual per-child expenditures for children living in family-based care environments in sub-Saharan Africa could potentially be increased by at least 25% and remain highly cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Wilson-Barthes
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University
School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Paula Braitstein
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of
Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada,Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare
(AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya,Department of Epidemiology and Medical
Statistics, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Eldoret,
Kenya
| | - Allison DeLong
- Department of Biostatistics, Brown University
School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - David Ayuku
- Department of Mental Health and Behavioral
Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Moi University,
Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Lukoye Atwoli
- Department of Mental Health and Behavioral
Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Moi University,
Eldoret, Kenya,Brain and Mind Institute, Department of
Internal Medicine, Aga Khan University Medical College, East Africa
| | - Edwin Sang
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare
(AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Omar Galárraga
- Omar Galárraga, Department of Health
Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, 121
South Main Street, Box G-S121-2, Providence, RI 02912, USA;
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Getanda EM, Vostanis P. Feasibility evaluation of psychosocial intervention for internally displaced youth in Kenya. J Ment Health 2022; 31:774-782. [PMID: 32915670 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2020.1818702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited evidence on the cultural appropriateness of first-stage psychosocial interventions for youth with mental health problems who experience conflict and disadvantage in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). AIMS To evaluate the feasibility of such an intervention (Writing for Recovery - WfR) among youth with emerging emotional problems following internal displacement in Kenya. METHOD Fifty-four youth aged 14-17 years were randomly allocated to a six-session intervention or a waiting list control group. They completed measures of stressful life events; post-traumatic stress, depressive and anxiety symptoms; quality of life; and free text on their experience of the intervention. RESULTS Young participants reported high levels of trauma exposure and emotional problems. The intervention was perceived as flexible and culturally acceptable, with reported short-term impact. This was found to have promising post-intervention effect in reducing post-traumatic stress, but not depressive or anxiety symptoms; and in enhancing quality of life scores. CONCLUSIONS Similar psychosocial interventions that can be delivered by paraprofessionals are important for resource-constrained LMIC settings, but need to be integrated within a comprehensive scaled service model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Panos Vostanis
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
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Lwamba E, Shisler S, Ridlehoover W, Kupfer M, Tshabalala N, Nduku P, Langer L, Grant S, Sonnenfeld A, Anda D, Eyers J, Snilstveit B. Strengthening women's empowerment and gender equality in fragile contexts towards peaceful and inclusive societies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. CAMPBELL SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2022; 18:e1214. [PMID: 36913184 PMCID: PMC8904729 DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Across the globe, gender disparities still exist with regard to equitable access to resources, participation in decision-making processes, and gender and sexual-based violence. This is particularly true in fragile and conflict-affected settings, where women and girls are affected by both fragility and conflict in unique ways. While women have been acknowledged as key actors in peace processes and post-conflict reconstruction (e.g., through the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda) evidence on the effectiveness of gender-specific and gender-transformative interventions to improve women's empowerment in fragile and conflict-affected states and situations (FCAS) remains understudied. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this review was to synthesize the body of evidence around gender-specific and gender-transformative interventions aimed at improving women's empowerment in fragile and conflict-affected settings with high levels of gender inequality. We also aimed to identify barriers and facilitators that could affect the effectiveness of these interventions and to provide implications for policy, practice and research designs within the field of transitional aid. METHODS We searched for and screened over 100,000 experimental and quasi-experimental studies focused on FCAS at the individual and community levels. We used standard methodological procedures outlined by the Campbell Collaboration for the data collection and analysis, including quantitative and qualitative analyses, and completed the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) methodology to assess the certainty around each body of evidence. RESULTS We identified 104 impact evaluations (75% randomised controlled trials) assessing the effects of 14 different types of interventions in FCAS. About 28% of included studies were assessed as having a high risk of bias (45% among quasi-experimental designs). Interventions supporting women's empowerment and gender equality in FCAS produced positive effects on the outcomes related to the primary focus of the intervention. There are no significant negative effects of any included interventions. However, we observe smaller effects on behavioural outcomes further along the causal chain of empowerment. Qualitative syntheses indicated that gender norms and practices are potential barriers to intervention effectiveness, while working with local powers and institutions can facilitate the uptake and legitimacy of interventions. CONCLUSIONS We observe gaps of rigorous evidence in certain regions (notably MENA and Latin America) and in interventions specifically targeting women as actors of peacebuilding. Gender norms and practices are important elements to consider in programme design and implementation to maximise potential benefits: focusing on empowerment only might not be enough in the absence of targeting the restrictive gender norms and practices that may undermine intervention effectiveness. Lastly, programme designers and implementation should consider explicitly targeting specific empowerment outcomes, promoting social capital and exchange, and tailoring the intervention components to the desired empowerment-related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Lwamba
- International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie)LondonUK
| | - Shannon Shisler
- International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie)LondonUK
| | | | - Meital Kupfer
- International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie)LondonUK
| | | | - Promise Nduku
- Africa Centre for EvidenceUniversity of JohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Laurenz Langer
- Africa Centre for EvidenceUniversity of JohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Sean Grant
- International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie)LondonUK
- Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public HealthIndiana UniversityIndianapolisIndiana
| | - Ada Sonnenfeld
- International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie)LondonUK
| | - Daniela Anda
- International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie)LondonUK
| | - John Eyers
- International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie)LondonUK
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Li Z, Zhou X, Ran S, Wehrmeister FC. Social protection and the level and inequality of child mortality in 101 low- and middle-income countries: A statistical modelling analysis. J Glob Health 2021; 11:04067. [PMID: 34737867 PMCID: PMC8561336 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.11.04067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Expanding social protection programme is a major target of the Sustainable Development Goals. Previous studies provided evidence for the relationship of social protection programme to greater use of health services and some improved health outcomes for children. Yet, its impact on child mortality has not been clearly revealed. In this study, we examined the association between social protection programmes and child mortality. Methods We obtained child mortality data from 379 nationally representative surveys involving 101 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We included five child mortality outcomes in the study, which were neonatal mortality rate (NMR), post-neonatal mortality rate (PMR), childhood mortality rate (CMR), infant mortality rate (IMR), and under-5 mortality rate (U5MR). We extracted data on social protection programmes from multiple data sources (eg, Atlas of Social Protection Indicators of Resilience and Equity). Social protection and labour programme (SPL) was the major type of social protection we included. We also included four subtypes of SPL - social assistance, cash transfer, social insurance, and labour market protection. Both unadjusted and adjusted regressions were conducted to measure the associations between characteristics of social protection programmes and child mortality, as well as inequalities in child mortality. Results Among the 101 countries, the median coverage rate of SPL was 28.5%, with an interquartile range between 6.5% and 55.2%. Using the adjusted model, we found a one-percentage-point increase in SPL coverage is associated with a reduction of 0.09 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.04, 0.14) per 1000 live births in NMR, 0.11 (95% CI = 0.04, 0.18) in PMR, and 0.25 (95% CI = 0.11, 0.38) in CMR. Social assistance programme was the only subtype of SPL to be significantly associated with lower mortality rates. A higher SPL coverage was associated with better equity in child mortality – as the coverage of SPL increased by one percentage point, the concentration index of CMR would increase by 0.08 (95% CI = 0.03, 0.13) in the adjusted model, suggesting an improvement in equity. Conclusions The strong association between social protection programme and child mortality suggests that to achieve the SDG targets of universal social protection and to reduce child mortality, LMICs shall consider prioritizing the expansion of social protection programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Li
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyan Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shuyao Ran
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Fernando C Wehrmeister
- International Centre for Equity in Health, Post-Graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil
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Braitstein P, DeLong A, Ayuku D, Ott M, Atwoli L, Galárraga O, Sang E, Hogan J. Association of Care Environment With HIV Incidence and Death Among Orphaned, Separated, and Street-Connected Children and Adolescents in Western Kenya. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e2125365. [PMID: 34529063 PMCID: PMC8446813 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.25365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In 2015, there were nearly 140 million orphaned children globally, particularly in low- and middle-income regions, and millions more for whom the street is central to their everyday lives. A total of 16.6 million children were orphaned because of deaths associated with HIV/AIDS, of whom 90% live in sub-Saharan Africa. Although most orphaned and separated children and adolescents in this region are cared for by extended family, the large number of children requiring care has produced a proliferation of institutional care. Few studies have investigated the association between care environment and physical health among orphaned and separated youths in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVE To examine the association of care environment with incident HIV and death among orphaned and separated children and adolescents who were living in charitable children's institutions, family-based settings, and street settings in western Kenya over almost 10 years. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The Orphaned and Separated Children's Assessments Related to Their Health and Well-Being (OSCAR) project was an observational prospective cohort study conducted in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The cohort comprised 2551 orphaned, separated, and street-connected children from communities within 8 administrative locations, which included 300 randomly selected households (family-based settings) caring for children who were orphaned from all causes, 19 charitable children's institutions (institutional settings), and a convenience sample of 100 children who were practicing self-care on the streets (street settings). Participants were enrolled from May 31, 2010, to April 24, 2013, and were followed up until November 30, 2019. EXPOSURES Care environment (family-based, institutional, or street setting). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Survival regression models were used to investigate the association between care environment and incident HIV, death, and time to incident HIV or death. RESULTS Among 2551 participants, 1230 youths were living in family-based settings, 1230 were living in institutional settings, and 91 were living in street settings. Overall, 1321 participants (51.8%) were male, with a mean (SD) age at baseline of 10.4 (4.8) years. Most participants who were living in institutional (1047 of 1230 youths [85.1%]) or street (71 of 91 youths [78.0%]) settings were double orphaned (ie, both parents had died). A total of 59 participants acquired HIV infection or died during the study period. After adjusting for sex, age, and baseline HIV status, living in a charitable children's institution was not associated with death (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.26; 95% CI, 0.07-1.02) or incident HIV (AHR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.46-4.83). Compared with living in a family-based setting, living in a street setting was associated with death (AHR, 5.46; 95% CI, 2.30-12.94), incident HIV (AHR, 17.31; 95% CI, 5.85-51.25), and time to incident HIV or death (AHR, 7.82; 95% CI, 3.48-17.55). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study, after adjusting for potential confounders, no association was found between care environment and HIV incidence or death among youths living in institutional vs family-based settings. However, living in a street setting vs a family-based setting was associated with both HIV incidence and death. This study's findings suggest that strengthening of child protection systems and greater investment in evidence-based family support systems that improve child and adolescent health and prevent youth migration to the street are needed for safe and beneficial deinstitutionalization to be implemented at scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Braitstein
- Division of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) Program, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Allison DeLong
- Department of Biostatistics, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - David Ayuku
- Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Mary Ott
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis
| | - Lukoye Atwoli
- Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
- Dean’s Office, Aga Khan University Medical College, East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Omar Galárraga
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Edwin Sang
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) Program, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Joseph Hogan
- Department of Biostatistics, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island
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Reynolds EC, Onyango D, Mwando R, Oele E, Misore T, Agaya J, Otieno P, Tippett Barr BA, Lee GO, Akelo V. Mothers' Perspectives of Complementary Feeding Practices in an Urban Informal Settlement in Kisumu County, Western Kenya. Curr Dev Nutr 2021; 5:nzab065. [PMID: 34095736 PMCID: PMC8171250 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzab065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In informal settlements, the benefits of urban dwelling are diminished by conditions of poverty that exacerbate child undernutrition. The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) project has identified malnutrition as the leading underlying cause of death in children under 5 in the Manyatta urban informal settlement in Kisumu County, Kenya. OBJECTIVE This qualitative study, nested within the CHAMPS project, aimed to understand community perspectives on complementary feeding practices in this settlement. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 mothers who lived in the urban informal settlement and had a child 6-23 months old. Two focus group discussions were conducted, 1 with mothers and 1 with community health workers (CHWs), to further explore themes related to complementary feeding. RESULTS Mothers were knowledgeable about globally recommended feeding practices, but such practices were often not implemented due to 1) the community/household water and sanitation environment, 2) the community/household food environment, 3) a lack of income and employment opportunities for women, and 4) sociocultural factors. Together, these create an environment that is not conducive to optimal child feeding practices. CONCLUSIONS To improve complementary feeding practices and child nutritional outcomes in Kenya's informal urban settings, both community- and individual-level factors should be addressed. Possible interventions include investment in water infrastructure and social protection programs, such as cash transfers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise C Reynolds
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor,
MI, USA
- University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Rael Mwando
- Kisumu County Department of Health, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | | | - Janet Agaya
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Beth A Tippett Barr
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–Kenya, Kisumu and
Nairobi , Kenya
| | - Gwenyth O Lee
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor,
MI, USA
| | - Victor Akelo
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–Kenya, Kisumu and
Nairobi , Kenya
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Brief Report: Use of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to Characterize Health Care Workers' Perspectives on Financial Incentives to Increase Pediatric HIV Testing. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2020; 84:e1-e6. [PMID: 32049774 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A prior randomized control trial showed financial incentives increase HIV testing rates for children of unknown HIV status. Translating evidence-based interventions such as these to scale requires an implementation science approach. METHODS A qualitative study evaluating health care providers' perceptions of barriers and facilitators of a previously completed financial incentives intervention for pediatric HIV testing was conducted at health care facilities in Kisumu, Kenya. Six focus group discussions with 52 providers explored determinants of acceptability, feasibility, and sustainability of financial incentive scale-up for pediatric HIV testing using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to inform question guides and thematic analysis. RESULTS Providers found the use of financial incentive interventions for pediatric HIV testing to be highly acceptable. First, providers believed financial incentives had a relative advantage over existing strategies, because they overcame cost barriers and provided additional motivation to test; however, concerns about how financial incentives would be implemented influenced perceptions of feasibility and sustainability. Second, providers expressed concern that already overburdened staff and high costs of financial incentive programs would limit sustainability. Third, providers feared that financial incentives may negatively affect further care because of expectations of repeated financial support and program manipulation. CONCLUSIONS Providers viewed financial incentives as an acceptable intervention to scale programmatically to increase uptake of pediatric testing. To ensure feasibility and sustainability of financial incentives in pediatric HIV testing programs, it will be important to clearly define target populations, manage expectations of continued financial support, and establish systems to track testing.
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Durao S, Visser ME, Ramokolo V, Oliveira JM, Schmidt BM, Balakrishna Y, Brand A, Kristjansson E, Schoonees A. Community-level interventions for improving access to food in low- and middle-income countries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 8:CD011504. [PMID: 32761615 PMCID: PMC8890130 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011504.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND After decades of decline since 2005, the global prevalence of undernourishment reverted and since 2015 has increased to levels seen in 2010 to 2011. The prevalence is highest in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially Africa and Asia. Food insecurity and associated undernutrition detrimentally affect health and socioeconomic development in the short and long term, for individuals, including children, and societies. Physical and economic access to food is crucial to ensure food security. Community-level interventions could be important to increase access to food in LMICs. OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of community-level interventions that aim to improve access to nutritious food in LMICs, for both the whole community and for disadvantaged or at-risk individuals or groups within a community, such as infants, children and women; elderly, poor or unemployed people; or minority groups. SEARCH METHODS We searched for relevant studies in 16 electronic databases, including trial registries, from 1980 to September 2019, and updated the searches in six key databases in February 2020. We applied no language or publication status limits. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster randomised controlled trials (cRCTs) and prospective controlled studies (PCS). All population groups, adults and children, living in communities in LMICs exposed to community-level interventions aiming to improve food access were eligible for inclusion. We excluded studies that only included participants with specific diseases or conditions (e.g. severely malnourished children). Eligible interventions were broadly categorised into those that improved buying power (e.g. create income-generation opportunities, cash transfer schemes); addressed food prices (e.g. vouchers and subsidies); addressed infrastructure and transport that affected physical access to food outlets; addressed the social environment and provided social support (e.g. social support from family, neighbours or government). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently screened titles and abstracts, and full texts of potentially eligible records, against the inclusion criteria. Disagreements were resolved through discussion or arbitration by a third author, if necessary. For each included study, two authors independently extracted data and a third author arbitrated disagreements. However, the outcome data were extracted by one author and checked by a biostatistician. We assessed risk of bias for all studies using the Effective Practice and Organization of Care (EPOC) risk of bias tool for studies with a separate control group. We conducted meta-analyses if there was a minimum of two studies for interventions within the same category, reporting the same outcome measure and these were sufficiently homogeneous. Where we were able to meta-analyse, we used the random-effects model to incorporate any existing heterogeneity. Where we were unable to conduct meta-analyses, we synthesised using vote counting based on effect direction. MAIN RESULTS We included 59 studies, including 214 to 169,485 participants, and 300 to 124, 644 households, mostly from Africa and Latin America, addressing the following six intervention types (three studies assessed two different types of interventions). Interventions that improved buying power: Unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) (16 cRCTs, two RCTs, three PCSs): we found high-certainty evidence that UCTs improve food security and make little or no difference to cognitive function and development and low-certainty evidence that UCTs may increase dietary diversity and may reduce stunting. The evidence was very uncertain about the effects of UCTs on the proportion of household expenditure on food, and on wasting. Regarding adverse outcomes, evidence from one trial indicates that UCTs reduce the proportion of infants who are overweight. Conditional cash transfers (CCTs) (nine cRCTs, five PCSs): we found high-certainty evidence that CCTs result in little to no difference in the proportion of household expenditure on food and that they slightly improve cognitive function in children; moderate-certainty evidence that CCTs probably slightly improve dietary diversity and low-certainty evidence that they may make little to no difference to stunting or wasting. Evidence on adverse outcomes (two PCSs) shows that CCTs make no difference to the proportion of overweight children. Income generation interventions (six cRCTs, 11 PCSs): we found moderate-certainty evidence that income generation interventions probably make little or no difference to stunting or wasting; and low-certainty evidence that they may result in little to no difference to food security or that they may improve dietary diversity in children, but not for households. Interventions that addressed food prices: Food vouchers (three cRCTs, one RCT): we found moderate-certainty evidence that food vouchers probably reduce stunting; and low-certainty evidence that that they may improve dietary diversity slightly, and may result in little to no difference in wasting. Food and nutrition subsidies (one cRCT, three PCSs): we found low-certainty evidence that food and nutrition subsidies may improve dietary diversity among school children. The evidence is very uncertain about the effects on household expenditure on healthy foods as a proportion of total expenditure on food (very low-certainty evidence). Interventions that addressed the social environment: Social support interventions (one cRCT, one PCS): we found moderate-certainty evidence that community grants probably make little or no difference to wasting; low-certainty evidence that they may make little or no difference to stunting. The evidence is very uncertain about the effects of village savings and loans on food security and dietary diversity. None of the included studies addressed the intervention category of infrastructure changes. In addition, none of the studies reported on one of the primary outcomes of this review, namely prevalence of undernourishment. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The body of evidence indicates that UCTs can improve food security. Income generation interventions do not seem to make a difference for food security, but the evidence is unclear for the other interventions. CCTs, UCTs, interventions that help generate income, interventions that help minimise impact of food prices through food vouchers and subsidies can potentially improve dietary diversity. UCTs and food vouchers may have a potential impact on reducing stunting, but CCTs, income generation interventions or social environment interventions do not seem to make a difference on wasting or stunting. CCTs seem to positively impact cognitive function and development, but not UCTs, which may be due to school attendance, healthcare visits and other conditionalities associated with CCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solange Durao
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marianne E Visser
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Vundli Ramokolo
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Bey-Marrié Schmidt
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Yusentha Balakrishna
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Amanda Brand
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Anel Schoonees
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Durao S, Visser ME, Ramokolo V, Oliveira JM, Schmidt BM, Balakrishna Y, Brand A, Kristjansson E, Schoonees A. Community-level interventions for improving access to food in low- and middle-income countries. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 7:CD011504. [PMID: 32722849 PMCID: PMC7390433 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011504.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND After decades of decline since 2005, the global prevalence of undernourishment reverted and since 2015 has increased to levels seen in 2010 to 2011. The prevalence is highest in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially Africa and Asia. Food insecurity and associated undernutrition detrimentally affect health and socioeconomic development in the short and long term, for individuals, including children, and societies. Physical and economic access to food is crucial to ensure food security. Community-level interventions could be important to increase access to food in LMICs. OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of community-level interventions that aim to improve access to nutritious food in LMICs, for both the whole community and for disadvantaged or at-risk individuals or groups within a community, such as infants, children and women; elderly, poor or unemployed people; or minority groups. SEARCH METHODS We searched for relevant studies in 16 electronic databases, including trial registries, from 1980 to September 2019, and updated the searches in six key databases in February 2020. We applied no language or publication status limits. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster randomised controlled trials (cRCTs) and prospective controlled studies (PCS). All population groups, adults and children, living in communities in LMICs exposed to community-level interventions aiming to improve food access were eligible for inclusion. We excluded studies that only included participants with specific diseases or conditions (e.g. severely malnourished children). Eligible interventions were broadly categorised into those that improved buying power (e.g. create income-generation opportunities, cash transfer schemes); addressed food prices (e.g. vouchers and subsidies); addressed infrastructure and transport that affected physical access to food outlets; addressed the social environment and provided social support (e.g. social support from family, neighbours or government). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently screened titles and abstracts, and full texts of potentially eligible records, against the inclusion criteria. Disagreements were resolved through discussion or arbitration by a third author, if necessary. For each included study, two authors independently extracted data and a third author arbitrated disagreements. However, the outcome data were extracted by one author and checked by a biostatistician. We assessed risk of bias for all studies using the Effective Practice and Organization of Care (EPOC) risk of bias tool for studies with a separate control group. We conducted meta-analyses if there was a minimum of two studies for interventions within the same category, reporting the same outcome measure and these were sufficiently homogeneous. Where we were able to meta-analyse, we used the random-effects model to incorporate any existing heterogeneity. Where we were unable to conduct meta-analyses, we synthesised using vote counting based on effect direction. MAIN RESULTS We included 59 studies, including 214 to 169,485 participants, and 300 to 124, 644 households, mostly from Africa and Latin America, addressing the following six intervention types (three studies assessed two different types of interventions). Interventions that improved buying power: Unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) (16 cRCTs, two RCTs, three PCSs): we found high-certainty evidence that UCTs improve food security and make little or no difference to cognitive function and development and low-certainty evidence that UCTs may increase dietary diversity and may reduce stunting. The evidence was very uncertain about the effects of UCTs on the proportion of household expenditure on food, and on wasting. Regarding adverse outcomes, evidence from one trial indicates that UCTs reduce the proportion of infants who are overweight. Conditional cash transfers (CCTs) (nine cRCTs, five PCSs): we found high-certainty evidence that CCTs result in little to no difference in the proportion of household expenditure on food and that they slightly improve cognitive function in children; moderate-certainty evidence that CCTs probably slightly improve dietary diversity and low-certainty evidence that they may make little to no difference to stunting or wasting. Evidence on adverse outcomes (two PCSs) shows that CCTs make no difference to the proportion of overweight children. Income generation interventions (six cRCTs, 11 PCSs): we found moderate-certainty evidence that income generation interventions probably make little or no difference to stunting or wasting; and low-certainty evidence that they may result in little to no difference to food security or that they may improve dietary diversity in children, but not for households. Interventions that addressed food prices: Food vouchers (three cRCTs, one RCT): we found moderate-certainty evidence that food vouchers probably reduce stunting; and low-certainty evidence that that they may improve dietary diversity slightly, and may result in little to no difference in wasting. Food and nutrition subsidies (one cRCT, three PCSs): we found low-certainty evidence that food and nutrition subsidies may improve dietary diversity among school children. The evidence is very uncertain about the effects on household expenditure on healthy foods as a proportion of total expenditure on food (very low-certainty evidence). Interventions that addressed the social environment: Social support interventions (one cRCT, one PCS): we found moderate-certainty evidence that community grants probably make little or no difference to wasting; low-certainty evidence that they may make little or no difference to stunting. The evidence is very uncertain about the effects of village savings and loans on food security and dietary diversity. None of the included studies addressed the intervention category of infrastructure changes. In addition, none of the studies reported on one of the primary outcomes of this review, namely prevalence of undernourishment. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The body of evidence indicates that UCTs can improve food security. Income generation interventions do not seem to make a difference for food security, but the evidence is unclear for the other interventions. CCTs, UCTs, interventions that help generate income, interventions that help minimise impact of food prices through food vouchers and subsidies can potentially improve dietary diversity. UCTs and food vouchers may have a potential impact on reducing stunting, but CCTs, income generation interventions or social environment interventions do not seem to make a difference on wasting or stunting. CCTs seem to positively impact cognitive function and development, but not UCTs, which may be due to school attendance, healthcare visits and other conditionalities associated with CCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solange Durao
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marianne E Visser
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Vundli Ramokolo
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Bey-Marrié Schmidt
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Yusentha Balakrishna
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Amanda Brand
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Anel Schoonees
- Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Gayapersad A, Ombok C, Kamanda A, Tarus C, Ayuku D, Braitstein P. The Production and Reproduction of Kinship in Charitable Children’s Institutions in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. CHILD & YOUTH CARE FORUM 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10566-019-09506-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Potential interventions targeting adolescent nutrition in Indonesia: a literature review. Public Health Nutr 2018; 22:15-27. [DOI: 10.1017/s1368980018002215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveThe present study aimed to take stock of nutrition interventions that warrant consideration as a minimum package of interventions in Indonesia to improve four key nutrition indicators for adolescents: stunting, thinness, overweight and anaemia.DesignWe conducted a review of the peer-reviewed literature published between 1995 and 2017 on nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions that target adolescents in Indonesia. The search to identify studies was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar and EMBASE, using key search terms. We also explored programmatic and policy documents from the grey literature as they related to adolescents and/or Indonesia. Our search yielded thirty-five peer-reviewed articles and programmatic documents.SettingIndonesia.SubjectsAdolescent girls and boys.ResultsThere is very limited evidence on the impact of interventions specifically among adolescents in Indonesia. Nevertheless, findings from our review suggest the minimum package of interventions in Indonesia could include the following nutrition-specifc interventions: (i) iron–folic acid supplements, paired with antihelminths delivered at scale via school-based platforms and through health centres; and (ii) diet counselling and nutrition education provided through school-based platforms, adolescent youth centres/peer education and technology-based platforms. The minimum package could also include the following nutrition-sensitive interventions: (i) improving access to reproductive health services; and (ii) increasing the coverage of interventions designed to increase school attendance.ConclusionsProgrammes and policies targeting adolescent nutrition are relatively new and coverage is low. To improve the nutritional status of this vulnerable population, additional evaluations of adolescent programming and surveillance data on adolescents are needed.
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Getanda EM, Vostanis P, O'Reilly M. Exploring the challenges of meeting child mental health needs through community engagement in Kenya. Child Adolesc Ment Health 2017; 22:201-208. [PMID: 32680411 DOI: 10.1111/camh.12233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite growing evidence on the extent of child mental health problems in low-middle-income countries, the gap between need and provision remains high. Previous research in high income countries has demonstrated that evidence-based interventions can be scaled-up through community consultation, particularly by engaging key stakeholders. AIMS This study aimed to explore community stakeholders' views on children's mental health needs and culturally acceptable interventions in Kenya, to ascertain how to integrate global service standards with culturally-specific expectations. METHODS Focus groups were conducted with community stakeholders (seven young people 14-17 years, seven parents, nine teachers and 11 other professionals). These participants were recruited from an urban community of internally displaced and disadvantaged families in Nakuru. RESULTS Results indicated that Kenya faced similar challenges in meeting mental health needs as in other countries, including economic constraints, limited knowledge, stigma and systemic issues, but that these were manifested in culturally specific ways that were linked to societal and professional's attitudes and local context. CONCLUSIONS Stakeholders' views are important in informing the planning, delivery and evaluation of interventions. However, for such interventions to be sustained, a clear therapeutic framework, evidence-base and sociocultural adaptation are likely to be important factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elijah Mironga Getanda
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Panos Vostanis
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Michelle O'Reilly
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
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Shangani S, Operario D, Genberg B, Kirwa K, Midoun M, Atwoli L, Ayuku D, Galárraga O, Braitstein P. Unconditional government cash transfers in support of orphaned and vulnerable adolescents in western Kenya: Is there an association with psychological wellbeing? PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178076. [PMID: 28562627 PMCID: PMC5451046 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Orphaned and vulnerable adolescents (OVA) in sub-Saharan Africa are at greater risk for adverse psychological outcomes compared with their non-OVA counterparts. Social interventions that provide cash transfers (CTs) have been shown to improve health outcomes among young people, but little is known about their impact on the psychological wellbeing of OVA. Objective Among OVA in western Kenya, we assessed the association between living in a household that received monthly unconditional government CTs and psychological wellbeing. Methods We examined the likelihood of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and positive future outlook among 655 OVA aged between 10 and 18 years who lived in 300 randomly selected households in western Kenya that either received or did not receive unconditional monthly CTs. Results The mean age was 14.0 (SD 2.4) years and 329 (50.2%) of the participants were female while 190 (29.0%) were double orphans whose biological parents were both deceased. After adjusting for socio-demographic, caregiver, and household characteristics and accounting for potential effects of participant clustering by sub-location of residence, OVA living in CT households were more likely to have a positive future outlook (odds ratio [OR] 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08, 1.99), less likely to be anxious (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.42, 0.78), and less likely to have symptoms of post-traumatic stress (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.29, 0.89). We did not find statistically significant differences in odds of depression by CT group. Conclusion OVA in CT households reported better psychological wellbeing compared to those in households not receiving CTs. CT interventions may be effective for improving psychological wellbeing among vulnerable adolescents in socioeconomically deprived households.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Shangani
- Brown University, Department of Behavioral Social Sciences, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Don Operario
- Brown University, Department of Behavioral Social Sciences, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Becky Genberg
- Brown University, Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Kipruto Kirwa
- Brown University, Department of Epidemiology, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- Moi University, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Miriam Midoun
- Brown University, Department of Behavioral Social Sciences, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Lukoye Atwoli
- Moi University, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Behavioral Sciences, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - David Ayuku
- Moi University, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Behavioral Sciences, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Omar Galárraga
- Brown University, Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Paula Braitstein
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya
- Moi University, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Eldoret, Kenya
- University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, Toronto, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Braitstein P. Institutional Care of Children in Low- and Middle-Income Settings: Challenging the Conventional Wisdom of Oliver Twist. GLOBAL HEALTH: SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2015; 3:330-2. [PMID: 26374794 PMCID: PMC4570007 DOI: 10.9745/ghsp-d-15-00228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Whether institutions or extended families are better suited to care for orphans depends on the specific circumstances. Reported rates of traumatic experiences among orphans and vulnerable children are high in both institutions and extended families; improving the quality of care for such children should be the paramount priority in all settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Braitstein
- University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Ssewamala FM, Nabunya P, Ilic V, Mukasa MN, Ddamulira C. Relationship Between Family Economic Resources, Psychosocial Well-being, and Educational Preferences of AIDS-Orphaned Children in Southern Uganda: Baseline Findings. GLOBAL SOCIAL WELFARE : RESEARCH, POLICY & PRACTICE 2015; 2:75-86. [PMID: 26146601 PMCID: PMC4486644 DOI: 10.1007/s40609-015-0027-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between economic resources, psychosocial well-being, and educational preferences of AIDS-orphaned children in southern Uganda. We use baseline data from a sample of 1410 AIDS-orphaned children (defined as children who have lost one or both biological parents to AIDS) enrolled in the Bridges to the Future study, a National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) funded study. Analyses from both bivariate and multiple regression analyses indicate the following: 1) despite the well-documented economic and psychosocial challenges AIDS-orphaned children face, many of these children have high educational plans and aspirations; 2) educational aspirations differ by orphanhood status (double orphan vs. single orphan); 3) regardless of orphanhood status, children report similar levels of psychosocial well-being; 4) high levels of family cohesion, positive perceptions of the future, school satisfaction, and lower levels of hopelessness (hopefulness) are associated with high educational aspirations; and 5) reported family economic resources at baseline, all seem to play a role in predicting children's educational preferences and psychosocial well-being. These findings suggest that the focus for care and support of orphaned children should not be limited to addressing their psychosocial needs. Addressing the economic needs of the households in which orphaned children live is equally important. Indeed, in the context of extreme poverty-in which most of the children represented in this study live-addressing structural factors, including poverty, may be a key driver in addressing their psychosocial functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fred M. Ssewamala
- International Center for Child Health and Asset Development, Columbia University School of Social Work, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, Office 1122, New York, NY 10027, USA
- School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago, 969 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Proscovia Nabunya
- School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago, 969 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Vilma Ilic
- International Center for Child Health and Asset Development, Columbia University School of Social Work, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, Office 1122, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Miriam N. Mukasa
- International Center for Child Health and Asset Development, Columbia University School of Social Work, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, Office 1122, New York, NY 10027, USA
- McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy & Research, New York University, 1 Washington Square North, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Christopher Ddamulira
- International Center for Child Health and Asset Development, Columbia University School of Social Work, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, Office 1122, New York, NY 10027, USA
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Abstract
An estimated 58 million persons aged 60-plus live in sub-Saharan Africa; by 2050 that number will rise sharply to 215 million. Older Africans traditionally get care in their old age from the middle generation. But in East and Southern Africa, HIV has hollowed out that generation, leaving many older persons to provide care for their children's children without someone to care for him or herself in old age. Simultaneously, the burden of disease among older persons is changing in this region. The result is a growing care deficit. This article examines the existing literature on care for and by older persons in this region, highlighting understudied aspects of older persons' experiences of ageing and care--including the positive impacts of carework, variation in the region and the role of resilience and pensions. We advance a conceptual framework of gendered identities--for both men and women--and intergenerational social exchange to help focus and understand the complex interdependent relationships around carework, which are paramount in addressing the needs of older persons in the current care deficit in this region, and the Global South more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enid Schatz
- a Department of Health Sciences , University of Missouri , Columbia , MO , USA.,b Institute of Behavioral Science , University of Colorado , Boulder , CO , USA.,c MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences , University of the Witwatersrand , Johannesburg , South Africa
| | - Janet Seeley
- d Social Science Programme , MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit on AIDS , Entebbe , Uganda.,e Department of Global Health and Development , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK
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Pande R, Ogwang S, Karuga R, Rajan R, Kes A, Odhiambo FO, Laserson K, Schaffer K. Continuing with "…a heavy heart" - consequences of maternal death in rural Kenya. Reprod Health 2015; 12 Suppl 1:S2. [PMID: 26000827 PMCID: PMC4423749 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4755-12-s1-s2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study analyzes the consequences of maternal death to households in Western Kenya, specifically, neonatal and infant survival, childcare and schooling, disruption of daily household activities, the emotional burden on household members, and coping mechanisms. METHODS The study is a combination of qualitative analysis with matched and unmatched quantitative analysis using surveillance and survey data. Between September 2011 and March 2013 all households in the study area with a maternal death were surveyed. Data were collected on the demographic characteristics of the deceased woman; household socio-economic status; a history of the pregnancy that led to the death; schooling experiences of surviving school-age children; and disruption to household functioning due to the maternal death. These data were supplemented by in-depth and focus group discussions. Quantitative data on neonatal and infant survival from a demographic surveillance system in the study area were also used. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted with the quantitative data, and qualitative data were analyzed through text analysis using NVivo. RESULTS More than three-quarters of deceased women performed most household tasks when healthy. After the maternal death, the responsibility for these tasks fell primarily on the deceased's husbands, mothers, and mothers-in-law. Two-thirds of the individuals from households that suffered a maternal death had to shift into another household. Most children had to move away, mostly to their grandmother's home. About 37% of live births to women who died of maternal causes survived till age 1 year, compared to 65% of live births to a matched sample of women who died of non-maternal causes and 93% of live births to surviving women. Older, surviving children missed school or did not have enough time for schoolwork, because of increased housework or because the loss of household income due to the maternal death meant school fees could not be paid. Respondents expressed grief, frustration, anger and a sense of loss. Generous family and community support during the funeral and mourning periods was followed by little support thereafter. CONCLUSION The detrimental consequences of a maternal death ripple out from the woman's spouse and children to the entire household, and across generations.
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