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HIV infection high among children in orphanages

Nov 22, 2010 News

The prevalence of HIV infection appears to be higher in Guyana’s orphanages than in the wider society, a survey by the National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS) has revealed.
But NAPS, and Child Protection Unit and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, are exploring the possibilities of effectively dealing with this issue.
During the third Guyana Medical Scientific Conference yesterday, it was revealed that HIV testing was carried out at 23 children’s homes across Guyana. Five hundred and seventy-nine orphans were tested out of the 620 reached.
The testing age varied between, one year to 20 years, with the mean age of 10 years old.  According to the researchers, of the 579 children that were tested, 25 of them were found to be HIV positive.
However, although more females were tested, research has shown that more males are infected than females.
According to the researchers, of the 322 females that were tested 11 were found to be positive while out of the 257 males tested 14 were found to be positive.
Officials said testing was done with the initial approval of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the orphanage administrators.
According to medical information, other than those referenced to in the research at hand, females are more likely to become infected with HIV which makes it more alarming that males at the orphanages are infected in a higher percentage than females.
Testing was said to have been done on weekends so as to not interfere with the children’s academic activities. Results were only revealed to children who tested positive with the permission of their Guardians.
Children who were tested positive were followed up by Social Workers from The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security.
It was stated that early diagnosis of pediatric infection with early management results in important outcomes such as reduction of morbidity and mortality and improvement in the quality of life.
Researchers further stated that, in Guyana where early diagnosis through Deoxyribonucleic acid Poly Polymerase Chain Reaction (DNA PCR) is unavailable at birth, it is critical that all possible methodologies be employed to ensure that all children exposed are tested in a timely manner.
In conclusion, NAPS suggested that “HIV testing should be integrated into the medical assessment prior to admission and caregivers should be trained to care for HIV positive children”.

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