The Impact of HIV and AIDS on Lesotho Primary School Children

Abstract

Fifty-one orphans from five primary schools in the Maseru District, whose parents died of HIV- and AIDS-related illnesses, were interviewed for their experiences of HIV and AIDS. They were interviewed with regard to their psychosocial problems, their attendance at school, stigma and discrimination, nutrition and career aspirations. The interview schedule comprised of 37 items developed and validated by the researcher. Sixty-four per cent of the orphans lived with maternal grandmothers, 8% with maternal aunts, 8% with the elder sisters, 12% with elder brothers and 8% lived on their own, including looking after younger siblings. The orphans do not only have unmet basic or material needs but also have markedly increased psychosocial problems, exacerbated by their inability to access essential services such as healthcare due to poverty. Thus, their long-term psychological health, resilience, self-worth and self-esteem are in jeopardy. There is an urgent need to enhance and expand all current community and school intervention programmes not only to meet the basic needs of orphans but also to include psychosocial support (PSS), improved counselling services and training of caregivers and teachers in critical areas of care and support for the orphans.

Citation

Makeletso Ntaote, G. (2012), "The Impact of HIV and AIDS on Lesotho Primary School Children", Wiseman, A.W. and Glover, R.N. (Ed.) The Impact of HIV/AIDS on Education Worldwide (International Perspectives on Education and Society, Vol. 18), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 161-185. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3679(2012)0000018010