Health and Behavioural Problems Of Children Orphaned By AIDS As Reported By Their Caregivers In Abuja, Nigeria

Background Existing literatures in the West and Sub- Saharan Africa have suggested that children orphaned by AIDS are vulnerable to health and behaviour problems. Aim The aim of the study was to describe the health and behavioural characteristics of children orphaned by AIDS in Abuja by comparing them with a matched non-orphan group. Method The study was a cross sectional control study. The Rutter Scale A, parents' version, was given to caregivers of orphans under the social and educational rehabilitation programme of the Gede Foundation which is a nongovernmental organisation based in Abuja. A comparison group of non-orphans were also given the same questionnaire to fill and indicate the extent to which each statement applies to their child/ward. The caregivers also filled a questionnaire that assessed negative life events and their mental health status. Results AIDS orphans were more likely to have probable childhood mental disorder than non-orphans. Orphans were more likely than non-orphans to complain of headaches, bed wet, and more likely to arrive from school with tears. AIDS orphans more frequently exhibited behaviour problems such as frequent fighting, restlessness, disobedience, were not much liked by other children, worried about many things, often appeared unhappy, unable to settle down to tasks, often told lies and more likely to bully other children. Also, caregivers of orphans were often poorly educated and significantly more likely to report negative life events and increased mental health problems. Caregivers' mental health status and negative life events was found to predict a probable mental disorder in the orphans. Conclusion AIDS orphans in Nigeria are vulnerable to mental disorder. Implementing a psychosocial-based paediatric-centred intervention to address these behavioural problems may help to increase the psychological adjustment required when a parent is lost. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 6 (2) 2008: pp. 70-75