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Abstract
Each year, some young people leave children's homes or orphanages in Ghana to start life on their own. However, little is known about their challenges and the factors that influence their coping mechanisms. Data were collected through interviews with 23 care leavers and analysed using the framework analysis. The findings show that the care leavers were experiencing challenges with employment, housing, and social integration. Risk factors included having inadequate social and cultural skills and leaving care without employment. The protective factors that influenced the…
The HIV epidemic and the international concern about orphans have contributed to exposing the plight of children in West and Central Africa who are living on the streets, who are trafficked and/ or exploited for child labour, or who are forced into combat in armed conflicts. The impact of these difficult life circumstances on the psychosocial well-being of children and the quality of existing services, however, have barely been investigated.
The overall aims of the study were to improve the offer of psychosocial support services for children in West and Central Africa and to stimulate the…
WHAT: A report that identifies gaps and provides recommendations for protecting and supporting girls living on the streets. It provides models of good practices from Ghana, Kenya and Zimbabwe.
WHO: Social and community workers involved in the protection and support of children living or working on the street, specifically girls ages 12 to 18.
WHERE: While this report is primarily based on work with girls in Zambia, its examples of good practices include lessons from worldwide programs and research, and thus…
HIV/AIDS is a major cause of infant and childhood mortality and morbidity in Africa. In children under five years of age, HIV/AIDS now accounts for 7.7% of mortality worldwide. AIDS already accounts for a rise of more than 19% in infant mortality and a 36% rise in under five mortality. Together with factors such as declining immunisation, HIV/AIDS is threatening recent gains in infant and child survival and health.
Yet, for the most part, HIV infection in children is preventable. In industrialised countries in North America and Europe, paediatric HIV infection has largely been controlled.…
It is vital for children’s futures that they attend school and take full advantage of their education. Education is also important for their psychosocial development. Schools can provide children with a safe, structured environment, the emotional support and supervision of adults, and the opportunity to learn how to interact with other children and develop social networks. Education can also reduce children’s risk of HIV infection by increasing their knowledge, awareness, skills and opportunities.
However, children affected by HIV are less likely than other children to be enrolled in…