Care for AIDS orphans in Uganda: findings from focus group discussions.

The care of AIDS orphans in several regions of Uganda has recently been studied. The study also investigated how the various societies in Uganda have coped with the orphan problem since the onset of the AIDS epidemic. Changes in past and present coping mechanisms are discussed, with recommendations made for the future. Data were collected during 1992 from 241 men and 218 women in focus groups in Uganda's Hoima, Kabale, Mbarara, Masaka, Iganga, and Mbale districts. The participating men and women were aged 19-92 years and 14-92 years, respectively. Orphan care by a surviving parent, care by relatives, and other assistance to orphans are discussed. Orphan care in Uganda has changed since the onset of the AIDS epidemic. The changes are due mainly to the large number of orphans which have overwhelmed the extended family structure. Nonetheless, relatives still care for orphans despite their own problems, albeit at great financial hardship to the caregivers. It is recommended that governmental and nongovernmental organizations increase their levels of assistance to households caring for orphans. The authors further note the higher mortality of orphans, how many people who care for orphans are either too old or too young to fulfill the responsibility which they have assumed, and stigmatization.