Physical and mental health of children affected with AIDS and other children living in vulnerable families in a county of Yunnan province / 中国艾滋病性病

ABSTRACT

Objective To understand physical and mental health status of children affected with AIDS and other children living in vulnerable families in a pilot county of the China /UNICEF AIDS Prevention and Care Project.Methods By random sampling,250 children of 0-17 years of age in a project county in Yunnan province were selected from 3 types of familywith family members affected with AIDS,with family members using illicit drugs,and poor family.Height were measured to all 250 children.Psychological questionnaire was used to interview 154 children over 6 years.Results There was no significant difference in height,but significant differences in psychological status among children from the 3 types of families.Among the children affected with AIDS,near 68% had difficulty or were indecisive in coping with problems in their daily life ;58% were worried about peer interaction;67% were relatively self-confident,which was lower than children affected by drug abuse,and the latter was 89%.Conclusion The mental status of children from the 3 types of family is different,and community care should be provided by considering the difference between them.