The national household HIV prevalence and risk survey of South African Children

Abstract

This study is dedicated to all the children of South Africa and to those organisations that work towards alleviating the plight of children in South Africa and worldwide. On behalf of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, I would like to comment on the importance of The National Household HIV Prevalence and Risk Survey of South African Children. The study was commissioned by the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and the Nelson Mandela Foundation as part of the larger Nelson Mandela/HSRC Study of HIV/AIDS 2002. The aim was to give us, and all other organisations involved with children, a better understanding of what is actually happening to children in South Africa today, particularly in relation to HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS has worsened the plight of many and South African children are experiencing the impact of the epidemic in alarming ways. Particularly worrying is an expected increase in child-headed households where children have lost either one or both parents/caregivers to the disease. These children are then thrust into adult roles, often do not have access to food, education, love or care and yet have to provide this for younger siblings in their care. More and more children are being orphaned or made vulnerable by the disease. Little is known about the exact levels of prevalence among children and what predisposes them to the infection. On the whole, children in the 2 to 14 age group are not fully included in much of the research currently underway. This makes this new report especially valuable. Organisations working with children need information in order to plan their responses to the epidemic. We hope that this report will provide some of this information and assist all involved organisations and departments to effectively address the needs of our children.