HIV Competent SchoolsChildren affected by HIV (themselves sick/with sick parents/orphaned) are particularly vulnerable to poor nutrition, mental and physical health, sexual abuse and poverty. It is the aim of this study to explore how schools in Africa can help HIV-affected children cope with disease and poverty. Survey data will be used to identify schools with varying levels of success in promoting the inclusion and support of children affected by HIV and poverty, examining links between school enrolment and child health and well-being. Detailed qualitative case studies – using a mix of qualitative research methods – of primary and secondary schools with varying degrees of success in providing a supportive environment for HIV-affected children, will be conducted to generate detailed accounts of 'best and worst practice' in relation to inclusion and support of boys and girls The study seeks to develop a model of the 'HIV competent school' – which optimises children's inclusion, support and health, even given poverty and political uncertainty. This model will constitute a resource for local, national and international health and educational professionals and policy makers seeking to promote the role of schools in tackling child poverty and disease in Africa.
Funded by ESRC/DFID Joint Scheme for Research on International Poverty Reduction For more detail, please visit the project webpage here. Selected publications Campbell C, Andersen L, Mutsikiwa A, Pufall EL, Skovdal M, Madanhire C, Nyamukapa C, Gregson S. Factors shaping the HIV-competence of two primary schools in rural Zimbabwe. International Journal of Educational Development. 2015; 41:226-236 | free access Campbell, C., Andersen, L., Mutsikiwa, A., Madanhire, C., Skovdal, M., Nyamukapa, C., & Gregson, S. Re-thinking children׳ s agency in extreme hardship: Zimbabwean children׳ s draw-and-write about their HIV-affected peers. Health & place. 2015: 31, 54-64 | free access Campbell C, Andersen L, Mutsikiwa A, Madanhire C, Skovdal M, Nyamukapa C, Gregson S. Children’s representations of school support for HIV-affected peers in rural Zimbabwe. BMC Public Health. 2014; 14(1):402 | free access Pufall EL, Gregson S, Eaton JW, Masoka T, Mpandaguta E, Andersen L, Skovdal M, Nyamukapa C, Campbell C. The contribution of schools to supporting the wellbeing of children affected by HIV in eastern Zimbabwe. AIDS. 2014; 28(Suppl 3):S379-387 | free access |
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