Murewa, Zimbabwe: 1 July 2010
Below is a brief analysis of a baseline survey on Children ART Literacy and pediatric treatment carried out in ward 8 and 17 of Murewa district, Zimbabwe. The survey was undertaken in June, 2010. Participants in the survey were drawn from a sample of 8 Support Groups, and including children living with HIV and AIDS, primary and secondary care-givers.
Summary Findings
Children Living With HIV and AIDS
The survey showed that children living with HIV are lacking the basic knowledge about HIV and AIDS and pediatric treatment. Most of their responses from the survey are coded 88 or ‘I don’t know’. Serious measures on HIV and AIDS treatment awareness have to be taken in children living with HIV and AIDS. Most of the CLWHA especially those at primary level do not know their HIV status.
Guardians for children living with HIV/AIDS
In most cases these are old grandparents whose general literacy levels are low. The scenario is aggravated more so with medical terminologies and poor time keeping. The basic knowledge about HIV and AIDS pediatric treatment is greatly found wanting. Most of the primary care givers are grandparents who have very limited knowledge on HIV and AIDS. Their literacy levels has to be improved on some of the following, a) Basic facts about HIV and AIDS; b) ART and ARVs; and c) adherence to time taking the right dosage as prescribed by the doctor, and d)on how to disclose the HIV status to the CLWHA.
Secondary Community Care Givers
The basic knowledge about HIV and AIDS and treatment in general is much better as compared to these other two groups. But their knowledge on pediatric treatment is very low. There is need to step up ART literacy especially on pediatric treatment. The following areas need attention, a) HIV transmission in children, b) ART and ARVs in children, c) Adherence and d) And disclosing HIV status to children living with HIV for the purpose of adherence.
RMT is undertaking an ART Literacy Programme in Murewa with support and in partnership with SAFAIDS and AJWS. RMT also partners with AVERT, Murewa District Hospital, ZWAAPV, ZICHIRE and other stakeholders in advancing access to treatment and education for children in Murewa. RMT will be sharing its experiences at the Vienna 2010 International AIDS Conference.
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