Psychosocial Problems Of Aids Orphaned Children The Case Of Six Children In Harar

This study attempted to examine the psychosocial problems of AIDS orphaned children keepingrnin view the case of six orphans in Harar. Interview and focus group discu sion guides werern•rnemployed to collect data from the respondents. Data were collected from six AIDS orphanedrnchildren, their guardians and kebeles representatives who provide care and support for suchrnchildren and non-orphans peers. Accordingly, the data collected from the participants werernanalyzed qualitatively.rnThe result revealed that, AIDS orphaned childrenface different psychological problems before,rnduring and after the death of their. parents. This includes grief, anger, guilty, fear, shock,rnshame, anxiety, depression, hopel(!ssness and lowered self-esteem. Socially, they are subjectedrnto various problems such as, stigma, discrimination, mistreatment, self-isolation and abuse.rnThe guardians (caregivers) also face psychosocial problems. These include, shock, anger,rnguilty, stigma, shame, inferiority and sociaL isolation. On the other hand, guardiansrn(grandparents), relatives and neighbors take those orphans as a burden, and Ireat themrnunfairly.rn•rnAccordingly, poverty, stigma, discrimination, mistreatment by their guardians,rndropping out of school are considered as causes that trigger the psychosocial problems ofrnorphaned children by AIDS. Hence, those children take their coping mechanisms sllch asrncrying, praying and playing or sharing ideas with others.rnFinally, the study concludes that, HNIAIDS affect the entire community. Social support systemrnmay enhance the psychosocial well being of AIDS orphaned children. The provision of varioLisrn•rnsocial support systems to those orphans and their guardians is the best strat8gy to reduce theirrnproblems. Moreover, creating awareness among the community is a critical lIIeaSllre torndefense the psychosocial problems of children orphaned by AIDS. Ultimately, the study isrnoptimistic that, the revealations oJ. it would energize the perspective program planners tornincorporate its findings in to all of their future plans aimed at the welfare of AIDS orphanedrnchildren

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