The impact of HIV/AIDS on the family

A recent report supports evidence that in Africa, the HIV/AIDS pandemic is concentrated in the most economically productive segment of the population.

Deaths in this group often lead to the loss of a productive household member, resulting in the loss of income and changing relationship patterns in the family. The report, released by researchers in KwaZulu Natal province, has found that the death of an individual with HIV/AIDS has far-reaching and complex implications for the family and community.

"The declining productivity of HIV positive individuals is primarily and initially felt within the family. The loss of adults in their prime also reduces the capacity of communities. Simultaneously, extra costs are imposed upon these same communities. The main manifestation of these costs is orphaning resulting from AIDS deaths," the report said.

The impact of HIV/AIDS on other members of the household was largely felt by women and children. Women were increasingly taking on roles traditionally associated with men, with some women in Zimbabwe moving into the carpentry industry. Children, especially girls, were being taken out of school to take care of the sick, the report added.

According to the report, a study on the impact of HIV/AIDS on the economy of families in Cote d'Ivoire found that income in affected households was half that of the average household income. Increasing costs arising from time spent on care, transport and medical expenses placed added constraints on the household income. Spending on health care for the infected adult doubled, the study noted.

"I've met families here who can't even afford to spend money on their sick children because all their money goes on medicines for the HIV positive person in the house," Nozuko Majola, Project Officer for the South African AIDS Foundation, told PlusNews.

She added that the impact of HIV/AIDS illnesses at a household level was very serious, particularly in the KwaZulu Natal province, one of South Africa's poorest.

The death of a family member with HIV/AIDS had implications beyond the family's economic conditions. "The dire long-term consequence of the AIDS epidemic is orphaning," the report said. As many as 95 percent of all children maternally orphaned through AIDS live in sub-Saharan Africa, the report added.

"We are struggling with the problem of AIDS orphans, especially in the poor communities, because nobody can afford to feed those extra mouths," Majola said. "The orphans have to face a lot of discrimination from their communities, and it is difficult to provide them with adequate care."

For full report click Here