title: Perceived social support disparities among children affected by HIV/AIDS in Ghana: a cross-sectional survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study investigated whether perceived social support varied among children who have lost their parents to AIDS, those who have lost their parents to other causes, those who are living with HIV/AIDS-infected caregivers and children from intact families (comparison group).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study employed cross-sectional, quantitative survey that involved 291 children aged 10-18 years in the Lower Manya Krobo District of Ghana and examined their social support disparities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multivariate linear regressions indicate that children living with HIV/AIDS-infected caregivers reported significantly lower levels of social support compared with AIDS-orphaned children, other-orphaned children and non-orphaned children independent of socio-demographic covariates. Children who have lost their parents to other causes and other-orphaned children reported similar levels of social support. In terms of sources of support, all children orphans and vulnerable children were more likely to draw support from friends and significant others rather than from the family.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicate a need to develop interventions that can increase levels of social support for orphaned and vulnerable children within the context of HIV/AIDS in Ghana, particularly networks that include the family.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. pndoku@ug.edu.gh.
authors.forename: Paul Narh
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Doku
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. Johnoch04@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: John Enoch
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Dotse
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. akohenemensah@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Kofi Akohene
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Mensah
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D054540:Child, Orphaned / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006296:Health Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires