title: Orphans and Vulnerable Children Affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: In Sub-Saharan Africa, 15.1 million children have been orphaned because of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). They face significant vulnerabilities, including stigma and discrimination, trauma and stress, illness, food insecurity, poverty, and difficulty accessing education. Millions of additional children who have living parents are vulnerable because their parents or other relatives are infected. This article reviews the current situation of orphans and vulnerable children, explores the underlying determinants of vulnerability and resilience, describes the response by the global community, and highlights the challenges as the HIV pandemic progresses through its fourth decade.
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, USA. Electronic address: bryatm@bu.edu.
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D054540:Child, Orphaned / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017281:Cost of Illness; D058872:Epidemics; D005190:Family; D006678:HIV; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
keywords: Child; HIV; Orphaned; Sub-Saharan Africa; Vulnerable populations