HIV

You may think that children are too young to learn about HIV/AIDS, but young people hear many messages about it from the media, friends, or other family members. Perhaps they even know someone who is HIV positive.The truth of the matter is that the only way to help prevent HIV/AIDS among young people is to share accurate, age-appropriate information so that they can protect themselves. This leaflet provides pratical information for parents and caregivers on how to talk to children about HIV/AIDS and gives basic key stats.

Raising a child is probably the most gratifying job any of us will ever have — and one of the toughest. In large part, that’s because times have changed. We live in an increasingly complex world that challenges us everyday with a wide range of disturbing issues that are difficult for children to understand and for adults to explain. We believe this booklet can help. It offers practical, concrete
tips and techniques for talking easily and openly with young children ages 8 to 12 about some very tough issues: sex, HIV/AIDS, violence, drugs and alcohol. Some parents and caregivers may question the appropriateness of talking about such sensitive topics with young children. Maybe you’re one of them. But consider this: our kids are already hearing about these issues from TV, movies, magazines and school friends. If we don’t talk with them early and often — and answer their questions — they’ll get their facts from someone else. And we’ll have missed an important opportunity to offer our children information that’s not only accurate, but also in sync with our own personal values and moral principles. 

HIV/AIDS has always affected children. Nevertheless, for various reasons, attention to children generally, and young children specifically, has lagged behind. The concentration of children affected by HIV/AIDS is highest in developing countries; and the growing numbers of affected children has made HIV/AIDS an urgent agenda item. The availability of treatment to prevent infection during pregnancy/childbirth and early childhood has focussed attention on children and their needs. There is a welcome, if belated, focus on children now, especially young children, which can capitalise on the errors, oversights and lessons in policy for other groups.

A publication by the HIV/AIDS Alliance part of the Building Blocks Africa-wide briefing notes. ‘Young children and HIV’ provides practical guidance on meeting the developmental needs of young children affected by HIV and the care and treatment needs of young children living with HIV. Focusing on children under eight years of age, it aims to help local organisations and service providers to strengthen family and community support for these children. Section 1 covers meeting the developmental needs of young children with HIV or affected by HIV and section 2 covers care and treatment of young children.

This tool consists of 32 counselling cards for children between the ages of 4-16 who are undisclosed, partially or fully disclosed to. This is targeted for the use of a counsellor who works with the child. The cards has images on 1 side and themes and explanations on the other.

This report about barriers and challenges in facilitating testing and disclosure for children in 0-6, 7-14 and 15-18 age groups, based on research conducted by India HIV/AIDS Alliance in Andhra Pradesh and Manipur. The research is exploratory in nature, and has used a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods. The report looks at key factors preventing testing in children and adolescents and the associated issues relating to disclosure.

This is a companion book to use with the My Living Positively Handbook, for parents, caregivers, social workers, health workers and others

These are the quiz cards - part of a Kids ART Education Series (KAES), a toolkit that shares knowledge, facts and a series of creative and fun activities, centered around children and antiretroviral therapy (ART). Children can share it with their peers, family, friends and other members in the community.

My Living Positively Handbook is a full-colour picture handbook for children living with HIV that encourages children to live positively and to participate actively in the medical and health management of their illness.

60 slide Power Point Presentation on issues around disclosure to children. Targeted to those working with children living with HIV and AIDS. Gives cases of disclosure and provides tips and guidance on how to deal with issues as they arise. Speaks to importance of disclosure, also speaks to child as a participant in the disclosure process.