A Case Study of School Support and the Psychological; Emotional and Behavioural Consequences of HIV and AIDS on Adolescents

Various studies have reported a huge increase in the numbers of orphaned adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa and its effects on their psychological; emotional and behavioural development. Yet; their needs are seldom recognised or adequately addressed in policy and programmes.This article uses a qualitative study to report the experiences of 11 orphaned adolescents (5 boys and 6 girls aged between 15 and 18 years) affected by HIV and AIDS in a secondary school (in Atteridgeville; Pretoria; South Africa) and the school support provided by them. The primary data-generation strategies were informal interviews and the Beck Youth Inventories-II (BYI-II) (adopted to measure the participants' level of emotional; behavioural and psychological problems). All interview transcriptions with the participants were thematically analysed. BYI-II data were subjected to T scores (in percentages) to know the participant's psychological; behavioural and emotional problems in order to compare it with their perceptions on the degree of support provided by the school. Result shows that participants have a high prevalence of psychological; behavioural and emotional problems and that the school support provided to them (teachers' support; the general school environment and the degree of discrimination; labelling and bullying that exists in the school) was not sufficient. The participants; however; reported a high level of support from the principal. In conclusion; we have suggested the urgent need for teachers to acquire and possess basic knowledge and skills in caring and paying attention to learners affected by HIV and AIDS and for government agencies and NGOs working with HIV-and AIDS-affected children; to focus on proposals that address the psychological; behavioural and emotional problems in such affected adolescents

Suicidio en niños / Suicide in children

La frecuencia del suicidio e intento de éste en niños y adolescentes se encunentra subestimada en la información estadística disponible en nuestro país por muchas razones, entre ellas las presiones que ejercen la familia y la sociedad. De todas maneras está considerada como la quinta causa de muerte en el mundo, en el grupo etario de 15 a 19 años de edad. El método más utilizado en el suicidio e intento de suicidio en nuestro medio, es el de la ingresión en dosis excesivas de ciertos medicamentos. El suicidio en la infancia y la adolescencia es parte generalmente de un proceso depresivo que se manifeiesta por fatiga, intranquilidad, dificultad para concentrarse, agresividad; rara vez se le encuentra asociado a un proceso psicótico. Es resposponsabilidad del médico, en presencia de unm intento de suicidio investigar el entorno social, la historia familiar, el estado mental, el suceso precipitante, el método empleado, así como el apoyo disponible para determinar el manejo a seguir

Juventud y asistencia social / Youth and social assistance

El Consejo Nacional de Recursos para la Atención de la Juventud desarrolla programas y acciones para la integración y desarrollo social y productivo de los jóvenes; dichos programas son: educación para la salud; orientación educativa; fomento económico, orientación y capacitación laboral y bolsa de trabajo; legislación y justicia, defensa de los derechos juveniles; orientación social; fomento deportivo; asesoría telefónica juvenil, TELJUVE; fomento cultural; fomento recreativo y, solidaridad juvenil

Adolescente: quem é seu médico? / Adolescent: who is your physician?

A fim de avaliar o interesse e o grupo de dificuldades em relaçäo a um atendimento global ao adolescente, 50 pediatras em atividade clínica no RJ foram entrevistados pelos autores, baseados em um questionário padräo. A fim de saber o que pensa o adolescente sobre o seu atendimento médico, formaram-se dois grupos de 14 a 18 anos de idade para discussäo aberta sob coordenaçäo de técnicos em pesquisa. Os resultados mostraram grandes dificuldades por parte do pediatra em prestar um amplo atendimento ao adolescente, que, por sua vez, sente a falta de um profissional mais humano e receptivo, que, além de tratar de suas raras doenças orgânicas, o ouça e oriente. Os principais motivos deste desentrosamento säo analisados pelos autores