Impact of Aids on Children and Families in Africa Essay

Impact of Aids on Children and Families in Africa - Essay Example The World Health Organisation has estimated that every year about 5 million new people become infected with the HIV / AIDS virus. The prevention of HIV / AIDS mostly involves educating individuals including those of the gay community about dangers of sex without precautions. Testing and identification of HIV / AIDS victims, along with their appropriate care should be a part of the public health programs to arrest the spread of HIV / AIDS in African children and families within a community. There are costs associated with prevention programs for arresting the spread of HIV / AIDS in African children and families. Resources for the prevention of the spread of HIV / AIDS in African children and families virus are limited and those funds that are available are insufficient for meeting all the prevention needs in most communities. The cost of the HAART treatment includes the cost of AZT, Lamivudine and Nevirapine required for the first line treatment or the cost of Didanosine, Stavudine, Lopinavir, and Ritonavir for the second line of treatment. Pediatric costs associated with the treatment of HAART are presently h ighly variable (Geffen, 2003, Pp. 12 - 20). This paper shall study the impact of Aids on children and families in Africa. ... Pediatric costs associated with the treatment of HAART are presently highly variable (Geffen, 2003, Pp. 12 - 20). Aims and Objectives of Research This paper shall study the impact of Aids on children and families in Africa. This paper shall study the depth of the problem and the various ways and means, which can be adopted in order to mitigate the devastating impact of this un-curable disease. It shall also aim at analysing information from these areas in order to make the paper more relevant to the ground realities and shall discuss the various tools and techniques, which can be adopted in order to psychologically strengthen the disheartened and deplorable conditions of the patients and their families. Research Problems This paper shall try to answer the following research problems: 1) Analyse the impact of Aid on Children 2) Analyse the impact of Aid on Families 3) Analyse the reasons behind the rampant spread of this disease 4) Suggest changes in environment and culture needed to bring about an improvement in the current situation 5) Provide recommendations on the studied literature and research Chapter 2: Literature Review Studies by international organisations including the World Bank have determined that successful HIV / AIDS prevention and treatment programs on the national level, which are being funded by international efforts, require government commitment at the highest level with a partnership between the public and the private sector. Attempts towards prevention should be started early and there should be cooperation and collaboration between the community and religious leadership. There is a requirement for a forward looking, comprehensive and multi-sectoral response and community participation in the formulation of government policy is