title: Children's role in the community response to HIV in Zimbabwe.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent debates on how to achieve an optimal HIV response are dominated by intervention strategies that fail to recognize children's role in the community response to HIV. Whilst formal responses are key to the HIV response, they must recognize and build on indigenous community resources. This study examines adult's perspectives on the role of children in the HIV response in the Matobo District of southern Zimbabwe.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through a mix of individual interviews (n=19) and focus group discussions (n=9), 90 community members who were active in social groups spoke about their community response to HIV. Transcripts were subjected to a thematic analysis and coding to generate key concepts and representations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the wake of the HIV epidemic, traditional views of children's social value as domestic "helpers" have evolved into them being regarded as capable and competent actors in the care and support of people living with HIV or AIDS, and as integral to household survival. Yet concurrent representations of children with excessive caregiving responsibilities as potentially vulnerable and at risk suggest that there is a limit to the role of children in the HIV response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Community volunteers and health staff delivering HIV services need to recognize the "behind the scene" role of children in the HIV response and ensure that children are incorporated into their modus operandi - both as social actors and as individuals in need of support.
authors: Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. m.skovdal@gmail.com
authors: Morten
authors: M
authors: Skovdal
authors: Sitholubuhle
authors: S
authors: Magutshwa-Zitha
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Campbell
authors: Constance
authors: C
authors: Nyamukapa
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Gregson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Africa; HIV; Investment Framework; agency; childhood; critical enablers
references: AIDS Care. 2010 Jan;22(1):96-103
references: 20390486
references: AIDS Care. 2006 Nov;18(8):888-94
references: 17012077
references: AIDS Care. 2013;25 Suppl 1:S114-22
references: 23745625
references: Lancet. 2011 Jun 11;377(9782):2031-41
references: 21641026
references: Popul Dev Rev. 2011;37(2):333-59
references: 22066129
references: Glob Public Health. 2011;6(2):125-38
references: 19916089
references: AIDS Care. 2009;21 Suppl 1:3-12
references: 22380973
references: PLoS One. 2008 May 21;3(5):e2204
references: 18493615
references: Global Health. 2009 Aug 23;5:8
references: 19698177
references: Soc Sci Med. 2009 Aug;69(4):587-95
references: 19570600
references: Health Policy Plan. 2008 May;23(3):179-87
references: 18388133
references: Soc Sci Med. 2010 Sep;71(5):975-85
references: 20591546
references: Health Policy Plan. 2011 May;26(3):233-41
references: 20805235
references: AIDS. 2008 Aug 20;22(13):1659-65
references: 18670227
references: AIDS Care. 2009 Sep;21(9):1169-75
references: 20024777