Integrated Care of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Ekondo Titi and Isangele Health Areas of Cameroon

Abstract

For orphans and vulnerable children in Cameroon, HIV/AIDS impacts child survival, growth, and development. The objective of this study was to identify and census orphans and vulnerable children and determine their medical, educational, nutritional, housing, employment, and legal needs. A participative approach involving public and traditional authorities consisted of a door-to-door search of orphans and vulnerable children from village to village in the Ekondo Titi and Isangele Health Areas using eight trained interviewers and a local guide. A standardized questionnaire and vulnerability scale were used to identify these children and their needs. Field supervision and validation were carried out by the social workers of the Ministry of Social Affairs. Through the survey, 581 orphans and vulnerable children were identified. It was found that many of these children lack birth certificates, most (90.5%) with health problems and 55 (9.3%) with HIV infection. Few have three meals a day. Most of them attend school. About half live with foster families and about one-third of these families need income-generating activities to support these children. There is a critical need for the provision of basic education, birth certificates, medical treatment, and nutritional needs for the orphans and vulnerable children in Cameroon.