Factors affecting the psychosocial well-being of orphan and separated children in five low- and middle-income countries: Which is more important, quality of care or care setting?

Orphan discipline and child neglect: An analysis from 48 countries

BACKGROUND

Orphans comprise a sizable sub-population of all children, and their status as orphans exposes them to many risk factors. Orphan exposure to violent discipline is poorly understood, as research on parents' disciplinary practices largely focuses on biological families. The little research that exists has found that orphans are at reduced risk of harsh discipline but fails to explain why.

OBJECTIVE

To assess, from a global perspective, orphans' odds of experiencing physical, psychologically aggressive, and nonviolent discipline, compared to non-orphans, and to investigate why discipline of orphans differs from other children.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS

This study uses 56 UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey samples from 48 countries to assess the disciplinary experiences of 5- to 14-year-old children. Separate analyses on a subset of single and double orphans identify their risk factors for violent discipline.

METHODS

Multilevel logistic regressions were used to estimate odds of experiencing each type of discipline in the last thirty days.

RESULTS

All categories of orphans (maternal, paternal, and double) are at reduced odds of experiencing any form of discipline relative to non-orphans. In the case of physical discipline, this disparity appears to be due to caregiver neglect rather than sensitivity toward orphans.

CONCLUSIONS

Orphan caregivers should be given strategies and support to reduce their stress and alleviate their risk of becoming neglectful of their charges, alongside family education about healthy disciplinary practices.

Prevalence of children living with non-biological parents and its determinants among children under 18 in Ethiopia: a multi-level mixed effect analysis

Introduction

The absence of a biological parent from a child's existence had a negative impact on the child's growth, socialization, psychological wellbeing, and economic productivity. Developing nations like Ethiopia experience a huge number of orphans and family-unbounded children. But the exact figure has not been reported yet at the national level recently. Thus, this study aimed to assess the magnitudes and determinants of children living with non-biologic parents in Ethiopia.

Methods

Secondary data analysis was conducted based on the demographic and health survey data conducted in Ethiopia in 2016. A total weighted sample of 41,884 children under the age of 18 from 5 years preceding the survey was included in this study. A multi-level logistic regression model was used to identify the determinants of children living with non-biologic parents. The adjusted odds ratio at 95% Cl was computed to assess the strength and significance of the association between explanatory and outcome variables. Factors with a p < 0.05 are declared statistically significant.

Results

The prevalence of children living with non-biologic parents in Ethiopia was 17.58% (95% CI, 17.22-17.95). Being an orphan (AOR = 4.57, 95% CI: 2.40-7.25), being in first birth order (AOR = 8.22, 95% CI: 6.31-9.17), being from a household lacking formal family structure (AOR = 8.60, 95% CI: 6.20-12.30), and being from a female-headed household (AOR = 3.43, 95% CI: 2.65-4.43) were individual-level factors that were significantly associated with children living with non-biologic parents. Being a rural resident (AOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.23-3.08) and having a high community poverty level (AOR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.01-1.75) were community-level determinants of children living with non-biologic parents.

Conclusion

According to this study, a significant proportion of children live with non-biological parents in Ethiopia. Thus, policymakers, health planners, and implementers need to give special attention to children from rural communities, orphans, firstborn children, and broken families. In addition, efforts shall be made to empower women and, in the long run, improve the economy of the community.

Healthcare Service Needs of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Orphanages and Barriers Caregivers face in meeting their Healthcare Service Needs: A Mixed Method Research

Poor health and well-being among orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in orphanages has been documented in literature, and evidence has shown an association between access to healthcare and well-being among this population. This study assessed the healthcare service needs of OVC and explored the barriers their caregivers face in meeting their healthcare service needs using a mixed method research approach. The study utilized a multi-stage sampling technique in selecting 384 OVC and 14 caregivers that participated in the study. Data were collected using pre-tested questionnaire and interview guide. The quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 23, while the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic and content analysis. The result of the study shows that regular health assessment while in the orphanage tops the list of health services needed by OVC; this was followed by health assessment before or during admission into orphanages and facility visits for management of common illness by health professionals while health education for the children and caregivers ranked third. Mental healthcare was the least need reported by the children. From the caregivers' perspectives, financial, structural and psychological barriers emerged as major themes for barriers faced in meeting the healthcare service needs of OVC. The study concluded that OVC are mainly in need of regular health assessment and treatment of common ailments during facility visits by health professionals. The study further shows that caregivers face significant barriers in meeting the healthcare service needs of OVC.

Global priority for the care of orphans and other vulnerable children: transcending problem definition challenges

BACKGROUND

Tens of millions of children lack adequate care, many having been separated from or lost one or both parents. Despite the problem's severity and its impact on a child's lifelong health and wellbeing, the care of vulnerable children-which includes strengthening the care of children within families, preventing unnecessary family separation, and ensuring quality care alternatives when reunification with the biological parents is not possible or appropriate-is a low global priority. This analysis investigates factors shaping the inadequate global prioritization of the care of vulnerable children. Specifically, the analysis focuses on factors internal to the global policy community addressing children's care, including how they understand, govern, and communicate the problem.

METHODS

Drawing on agenda setting scholarship, we triangulated among several sources of data, including 32 interviews with experts, as well as documents including peer-reviewed literature and organizational reports. We undertook a thematic analysis of the data, using these to create a historical narrative on efforts to address children's care, and specifically childcare reform.

RESULTS

Divisive disagreements on the definition and legitimacy of deinstitutionalization-a care reform strategy that replaces institution-based care with family-based care-may be hindering priority for children's care. Multiple factors have shaped these disagreements: a contradictory evidence base on the scope of the problem and solutions, divergent experiences between former Soviet bloc and other countries, socio-cultural and legal challenges in introducing formal alternative care arrangements, commercial interests that perpetuate support for residential facilities, as well as the sometimes conflicting views of impacted children, families, and the disability community. These disagreements have led to considerable governance and positioning difficulties, which have complicated efforts to coordinate initiatives, precluded the emergence of leadership that proponents universally trust, hampered the engagement of potential allies, and challenged efforts to secure funding and convince policymakers to act.

CONCLUSION

In order to potentially become a more potent force for advancing global priority, children's care proponents within international organizations, donor agencies, and non-governmental agencies working across countries will need to better manage their disagreements around deinstitutionalization as a care reform strategy.

Prevalence, incidence and chronicity of child abuse among orphaned, separated, and street-connected children and adolescents in western Kenya: What is the impact of care environment?

BACKGROUND

The effect of different types of care environment on orphaned and separated children and adolescents' (OSCA) experiences of abuse in sub-Saharan Africa is uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

Our two primary objectives were 1) to compare recent child abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual) between OSCA living in institutional environments and those in family-based care; and 2) to understand how recent child abuse among street-connected children and youth compared to these other vulnerable youth populations.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

This project followed a cohort of OSCA in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya (2009-2019). This analysis includes 2393 participants aged 18 years and below, 1017 from institutional environments, 1227 from family-based care, and 95 street-connected participants.

METHODS

The primary outcome of interest was recent abuse. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of recent abuse at baseline, follow-up, and chronically for each abuse domain and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) between care environments, controlling for multiple factors.

RESULTS

In total, 47 % of OSCA reported ever experiencing any kind of recent abuse at baseline and 54 % in follow-up. Compared to those in family-based care, street-connected participants had a much higher reported prevalence of all types of recent abuse at baseline (AOR: 5.01, 95 % CI: 2.89, 9.35), in follow-up (AOR: 5.22, 95 % CI: 2.41, 13.98), and over time (AOR: 3.44, 95 % CI: 1.93, 6.45). OSCA in institutional care were no more likely than those in family-based care of reporting any recent abuse at baseline (AOR: 0.85 95 % CI: 0.59-1.17) or incident abuse at follow-up (AOR: 0.91, 95 % CI: 0.61-1.47).

CONCLUSION

OSCA, irrespective of care environment, reported high levels of recent physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Street-connected participants had the highest prevalence of all kinds of abuse. OSCA living in institutional care did not experience more child abuse than those living in family-based care.

Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire as Screening Measures for Children in India: A Scoping Review

Due to the limited availability of suitable measures, screening children for developmental delays and social-emotional learning has long been a challenge in India. This scoping review examined the use of the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS), PEDS: Developmental Milestones (PEDS:DM), and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) with children (<13 years old) in India. The scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute Protocol to identify primary research studies that examined the use of the PEDS, PEDS:DM, and SDQ in India between 1990 and 2020. A total of seven studies for the PEDS and eight studies for the SDQ were identified for inclusion in the review. There were no studies using the PEDS:DM. Two empirical studies used the PEDS, while seven empirical studies used the SDQ. This review represents the first step in understanding the use of screening tools with children in India.

Pakistani orphanage caregivers' perspectives regarding their caregiving abilities, personal and orphan children's psychological wellbeing

BACKGROUND

Pakistan is home to 4.6 million children who have been orphaned. Limited data on caregiving in orphanages suggests that caregivers do not have specialized training and experience heavy workloads and high-stress levels. Supporting these caregivers to provide responsive and consistent caregiving can improve their well-being along with the psychological and physical development of children who have been orphaned. This research explored the main caregiving-related challenges faced by caregivers in orphanage settings, their professional and personal needs and perceived emotional and behavioural problems manifesting in children under their care.

METHOD

This research adopted a qualitative research design with a thematic analysis approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 caregivers who were currently caring for four to 12-year-old children in Pakistani orphanages.

RESULTS

Five main themes: (1) religiosity, (2) economic relief, (3) caregivers' needs and well-being, (4) caring for children who have been orphaned and (5) need for context specific training, emerged from the data, which included several subthemes. Findings revealed the presence of positive religious views regarding the upbringing and care of children who have been orphaned. Work-provided accommodation was an important economic relief. Caregivers' psychological, physiological and personal lives were affected by job-related stress and demands. Many helpful and unhelpful parenting practices were documented, and challenges such as children's verbal and physical aggression, stealing, non-cooperation and poor social skills were reported. The main professional issues included low salary, high numbers of children in care and lack of context specific professional caregiving training provided.

CONCLUSION

This study established the need for a tailored programme that suits the context specific caregiving needs in Pakistani orphanages to support the training and professional growth of caregivers and promote their wellbeing along with positive developmental outcomes in the children under their care.

A Comparative Analysis of Residential Care: A Five-Country Multiple Case-Design Study

Background

Despite a global policy push toward the advancement of family- and community-based care, residential care for children and youth remains a relevant and highly utilized out-of-home care option in many countries, fulfilling functions of care and accommodation as well as education and treatment.

Objective

As part of a larger project involving five European countries (Finland, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, and Spain), the objective was “to map” the context and content of residential care in each country, thereby building a foundation for meaningful comparisons and deepened understanding of each system’s inherent logic. Within the context of global deinstitutionalization efforts, the study also aimed to understand factors that hinder or enhance the transformation of residential care.

Method

Using an embedded multiple-case design, data was gathered by each country on its residential care macro context as well as salient variables related to three units of analysis–residential care system/program features, residential care training and personnel, characteristics of youth. Cross-case synthesis was used to summarize and compare cases across relevant dimensions.

Results

The analysis highlighted areas of overlap and singularity, particularly with regard to utilization rates, concepts and methods, workforce professionalization, and characteristics of youth.

Conclusions

Findings provide a more nuanced understanding of how residential care continues to be viewed and utilized in some countries, challenging the ‘residential-care-as-a-last-resort-only’ rhetoric that is currently dominating the discourse on residential care. It further provides an understanding of historical and sociocultural factors that need to be considered when trying to transform services for children, youth, and their families.

Association of Care Environment With HIV Incidence and Death Among Orphaned, Separated, and Street-Connected Children and Adolescents in Western Kenya

IMPORTANCE

In 2015, there were nearly 140 million orphaned children globally, particularly in low- and middle-income regions, and millions more for whom the street is central to their everyday lives. A total of 16.6 million children were orphaned because of deaths associated with HIV/AIDS, of whom 90% live in sub-Saharan Africa. Although most orphaned and separated children and adolescents in this region are cared for by extended family, the large number of children requiring care has produced a proliferation of institutional care. Few studies have investigated the association between care environment and physical health among orphaned and separated youths in sub-Saharan Africa.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of care environment with incident HIV and death among orphaned and separated children and adolescents who were living in charitable children's institutions, family-based settings, and street settings in western Kenya over almost 10 years.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The Orphaned and Separated Children's Assessments Related to Their Health and Well-Being (OSCAR) project was an observational prospective cohort study conducted in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The cohort comprised 2551 orphaned, separated, and street-connected children from communities within 8 administrative locations, which included 300 randomly selected households (family-based settings) caring for children who were orphaned from all causes, 19 charitable children's institutions (institutional settings), and a convenience sample of 100 children who were practicing self-care on the streets (street settings). Participants were enrolled from May 31, 2010, to April 24, 2013, and were followed up until November 30, 2019.

EXPOSURES

Care environment (family-based, institutional, or street setting).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Survival regression models were used to investigate the association between care environment and incident HIV, death, and time to incident HIV or death.

RESULTS

Among 2551 participants, 1230 youths were living in family-based settings, 1230 were living in institutional settings, and 91 were living in street settings. Overall, 1321 participants (51.8%) were male, with a mean (SD) age at baseline of 10.4 (4.8) years. Most participants who were living in institutional (1047 of 1230 youths [85.1%]) or street (71 of 91 youths [78.0%]) settings were double orphaned (ie, both parents had died). A total of 59 participants acquired HIV infection or died during the study period. After adjusting for sex, age, and baseline HIV status, living in a charitable children's institution was not associated with death (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 0.26; 95% CI, 0.07-1.02) or incident HIV (AHR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.46-4.83). Compared with living in a family-based setting, living in a street setting was associated with death (AHR, 5.46; 95% CI, 2.30-12.94), incident HIV (AHR, 17.31; 95% CI, 5.85-51.25), and time to incident HIV or death (AHR, 7.82; 95% CI, 3.48-17.55).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, after adjusting for potential confounders, no association was found between care environment and HIV incidence or death among youths living in institutional vs family-based settings. However, living in a street setting vs a family-based setting was associated with both HIV incidence and death. This study's findings suggest that strengthening of child protection systems and greater investment in evidence-based family support systems that improve child and adolescent health and prevent youth migration to the street are needed for safe and beneficial deinstitutionalization to be implemented at scale.

The impact of care environment on the mental health of orphaned, separated and street-connected children and adolescents in western Kenya: a prospective cohort analysis

Introduction

The effect of care environment on orphaned and separated children and adolescents’ (OSCA) mental health is not well characterised in sub-Saharan Africa. We compared the risk of incident post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety and suicidality among OSCA living in Charitable Children’s Institutions (CCIs), family-based care (FBC) and street-connected children and youth (SCY).

Methods

This prospective cohort followed up OSCA from 300 randomly selected households (FBC), 19 CCIs and 100 SCY in western Kenya from 2009 to 2019. Annual data were collected through standardised assessments. We fit survival regression models to investigate the association between care environment and mental health diagnoses.

Results

The analysis included 1931 participants: 1069 in FBC, 783 in CCIs and 79 SCY. At baseline, 1004 participants (52%) were male with a mean age (SD) of 13 years (2.37); 54% were double orphans. In adjusted analysis (adjusted HR, AHR), OSCA in CCIs were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with PTSD (AHR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.97), depression (AHR 0.48 95% CI 0.24 to 0.97), anxiety (AHR 0.56, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.68) and suicidality (AHR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.95) compared with those in FBC. SCY were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD (AHR 4.52, 95% CI 4.10 to 4.97), depression (AHR 4.72, 95% CI 3.12 to 7.15), anxiety (AHR 4.71, 95% CI 1.56 to 14.26) and suicidality (AHR 3.10, 95% CI 2.14 to 4.48) compared with those in FBC.

Conclusion

OSCA living in CCIs in this setting were significantly less likely to have incident mental illness, while SCY were significantly more, compared with OSCA in FBC.

Predictors of HIV Testing among Orphaned Youths in Three East African Countries

In parts of sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV prevalence is high, HIV is a leading cause of death among youths. Orphaned and separated youths are an especially vulnerable group, yet we know little about what influences their testing behavior. We conducted multiple logistical regression to examine theory-based predictors of past-year HIV testing among 423 orphaned and separated youths in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. We also conducted moderation, assessing whether predictors varied by sex. Over one-third of our sample reported past-year HIV testing. Those with greater perceived social support and those who reported sexual HIV risk behavior were more likely to report past-year testing. Furthermore, boys who reported ever previously testing for HIV were more likely, a year later, to report past-year HIV testing. In conclusion, our findings have important implications for intervention development, including the potential for enhanced perceived social support to positively influence HIV testing among orphaned and separated youths.