A Study of Paediatric Hiv/aids and the Impact of This Disease on the ‘mommies’ at the Cyril Ross Nursery

PROBLEM STATEMENT

A study of paediatric HIV/AIDS and the impact of this disease on the ‘Mommies’ at the Cyril Ross Nursery.

INTRODUCTION

HIV/AIDS is a very serious problem, especially in the Caribbean, which has the highest HIV rate in the world, after Sub-Saharan Africa. As a global disease, HIV/AIDS had attracted both positive and negative emotions; from compassion, solidarity and support, to stigma, repression and discrimination.

Statement of Problem

This study explores the experiences of working with children with HIV/AIDS and the impact it has on the employees at the Cyril Ross Nursery. It will seek to evaluate how people who work with HIV/AIDS patients cope with such a difficult situation and how the pressures of the disease influence them. The study also evaluates how the workers see various aspects of society having a bearing on the lives of the children.

Research Questions-

Does working with HIV-infected children have an impact on the workers?

Does the government care for these children?

Does society accept these children knowing about their status?

Has stigmatization been a major problem for the children?

Purpose of study

Although AIDS is seen as a disease which mainly has an impact on adults, many children are affected by it, especially when it is transmitted to them from their parents. Children under age 14 only account for a small part of the known HIV-infected population in the Caribbean but the pediatric share is growing. In late 1996, there had been 6,911 cases of HIV/AIDS diagnosed children in Latin America and the Caribbean whereby most were infected by their HIV mothers during pregnancy, delivery or breast-feeding. In Trinidad and Tobago alone, more than 3,600 children have been orphaned by AIDS. Children are susceptible to many diseases and so it is necessary for them to be cared for efficiently. With HIV/AIDS, through their weakened immune systems, regular illnesses are more frequent, last longer and may respond poorly to regular treatment. There is a major problem with the stigmatization and discrimination of children with HIV in a community.

All these problems would have an impact on the experiences of the people working with HIV children in terms of them being able to work under the pressure of ensuring that the children live healthily while trying to protect the children and themselves from the negative attitudes of the public. There is a need for this type of study to help change society’s point of view on people living with the disease. The social control that the stigmatization of this disease has over people can be downgraded if people actually understand from first-hand experiences that the disease is nothing to be scornful about. It is necessary to increase the visibility of interactions with people with the disease as a normal part of society if any progress is going to be made

Educational value

The focus of this activity deals with a global epidemic, which means that the information generated will benefit everyone in society. It is necessary for society to evolve and eliminate the stigma and discrimination attached to the virus, and through understanding it from persons who have direct contact with it, society will be able to move forward. The government of Trinidad and Tobago will also benefit as it will instill in them how much more awareness and attention they need to place on paediatric HIV/AIDS.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Four research articles were reviewed to obtain background information on HIV/AIDS and its impact on both Caribbean people and worldwide. In November, 2005, according to the Trinidad and Tobago Express dated Saturday November 12th 2005, a research symposium on HIV/AIDS research and policy making was held by the National Aids Coordinating Committee (NACC) in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI). According to Dr. James Hospedales, director of the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), a lot has been done to meet the HIV/AIDS challenge such as an increase in the provision of antiretroviral drugs through the