Study of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in ZimbabweThe HIV epidemic in Zimbabwe, and in other countries of sub-Saharan Africa, has led to an increase in adult mortality and illness, which in turn has increased the number of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC). Three rounds of an OVC cohort study were conducted in 8 of our sites between 2002 and 2006. All maternal and double orphans, 1 in 5 paternal orphans and 1 in 50 non-orphans aged under 18 years were identified from the second round of the adult survey (conducted between 2001 and 200) and were recruited to the embedded cohort study. Additionally, all children under 18 years born to recently deceased adults that were identified in the round 2 verbal autopsy survey were recruited. The study employed a closed-cohort design (i.e. no new children were recruited during the course of the study) and continued for three rounds: December 2002 – March 2003; June 2003 – November 2004; and July 2004 - March 2006. Data were collected on various topics relating to child wellbeing including living arrangements and child-care responsibilities, extended family, education, child health and nutrition, including psychosocial distress.
Selected publications Nyamukapa CA, Gregson S, Wambe M, Mushore P, Lopman B, Mupambireyi Z, Nhongo K, Jukes MCH. Causes and consequences of psychological distress among orphans in eastern Zimbabwe. AIDS Care. 22(8):988-96 | free access Owen H, Nyamukapa CA, Beasley M, Jukes M, Wambe M, Mason PR, Gregson S. Contrasting causal pathways contribute to poorer health and nutrition outcomes in orphans in Zimbabwe. Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies. 2009; 4(4): 312-323.| free access Nyamukapa CA, Gregson S, Lopman B, Saito S, Watts HJ, Monasch R, Jukes MCH. HIV-associated orphanhood and children’s psychosocial distress: theoretical framework tested with data from Zimbabwe. American Journal of Public Health 2008; 98(1): 133-141 | free access |
 People involved |