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There are many positive numbers coming up when it comes to the new infection rates of HIV. More so the awareness among the society related to HIV/AIDS has increased. Yet, HIV/AIDS as a social problem is far from the solution, especially for the Children affected/infected by HIV AIDS. The paper explores the psychosocial challenges faced by the child who has lost either one or both the parents to this disease. As there are no proper records available about the AIDS affected orphans, it is very difficult to trace them and first it was required to place them and locate them. The aim was to understand the stigmatization and other challenges related to HIV AIDS after the death of their parents. This paper with its qualitative research approach has carried out in-depth interviews with the group of people who are directly or indirectly associated with the life of an AIDS orphan child. The respondents who were chosen carefully with purposive sampling include the caregiver, living parent and representatives of ART centre or care & support unit. The study which was based in Vadodara (Gujarat) required a special permission from the government looking into the sensitivity of the issue and therefore all the ethical considerations were tactfully interwoven during the data recording (using interview guide) as well during the data analysis. There were around 40 participants in the study whose perspectives were considered for understanding the psychosocial challenges experienced by the AIDS orphans. The results show that due to the absence of their biological parent/s, the AIDS orphans have to leave their studies and carry on with the task otherwise assigned to an adult. Most of the responses shared that the child does not speak about the death of their parents or anything about the disease to anyone. After the death of their parent/s, the guardianship is handed over to the maternal family in most of the cases and inheritance of the property of their late father is one of the most challenging issues related to their financial independence. The study concludes that the AIDS related stigma is self-perceived by the family and the child only realises the actual impact of the HIV on his/her life once he/she turns adult. In most of the cases, the psychological challenges are not disclosed and suppressed as the child still does not comprehend the reality of the issue. The study strongly recommends deriving complete and real time data of AIDS affected children and extending social support to them through social institutions like schools, religion and NGOs. The education which is adversely affected due to their parents’ death should be placed in the top most priority by the caregivers and other stakeholders.
AIDS Orphan, Stigma, Caregiver, Psychosocial Support
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