Growth,development,nutritional status and mental health of AIDS-affected orphans in China / 中国艾滋病性病

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the growth,development,nutritional status and mental health of AIDS affected orphans in China and provide scientific basis for policy formulation.Methods Adopting gender-age 1∶1 matching design,96 pairs of AIDS affected orphans and children from normal families were investigated in term of their physical and mental health status.Results Orphans were found thinner than non-orphans for their significantly lower BMI z scores and subscapular skinfold thickness.Compared with the control group,AIDS affected orphans also had significantly lower SES and BDI scores.Male orphans were more vulnerable than male non-orphans in physical and mental health and no significant differences were found between female groups.Conclusion AIDS affected orphans in China have significant physical and mental health vulnerabilities and urgently needs health care.More sustainable fostering strategies are needed to be explored and integrated health interventions with focus on mental health support will be crucial.And more attention should be given to male orphans.