Gender psychosocial health of children orphaned by AIDS

Abstract

Gender, defined as sex difference between females and males, is central to social health policy, plan and care for all [WHO. (2001). The world health report 2001. Geneva: WHO]. But there are limited data on the gender social health of orphans and vulnerable children who may require these social health programs most. This article examines gender psychosocial health outcomes in sub-Saharan African children (n = 952). The design had children orphaned by AIDS (n = 185), those orphaned by other causes (n = 475) and those whose parents were living (n = 292). Participants' grand age mean = 13.59 (SD = 2.34), mode = 14 years. Perceived child abuse, anxiety, depression, social discrimination, parental/foster care, self-esteem and social support measures estimated psychosocial health. The gender ANOVA showed that AIDS-orphaned boys scored highest distress psychosocial health factors. So did AIDS-orphaned girls. However, between girls and boys in each of the three groups, no significant gender difference was observed. Boys and girls showed identical psychosocial health state, irrespective of their varying social circumstances. The advocacy for “female-specific” psychosocial health care from the mainstream practice was discussed.