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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
arts and humanities
The social situation of motherless children in rural and urban areas of Guinea-Bissau
Social Science and Medicine, Volume 59, No. 6, Year 2004
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Description
With the increasing prevalence of HIV infection and the high maternal mortality, orphans are a rapidly growing problem in Africa. However, few studies describe the social conditions of these children. Our study focuses on motherless children in urban and rural areas of Guinea-Bissau. A rural and an urban cohort of children (128 and 192, respectively) that had been followed by demographic surveillance since 1990 were identified and the relatives of these children interviewed. A control cohort of 808 individuals was also identified. Although orphan children remained disadvantaged, there were few differences between surviving motherless and control children in nutritional status, use of health care services, school attendance, quality of housing, and clothing. Motherless children moved more frequently and were more likely to live in small families, often with an older grandmother. The traditional extended family system appears to be capable of handling motherless children in a non-discriminatory fashion. However, the AIDS epidemic will continue to stress the extended family system and social services to the limit. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Authors & Co-Authors
Masmas, Tania Nicole
Denmark, Copenhagen
Statens Serum Institut
Jensen, Henrik
Denmark, Copenhagen
Statens Serum Institut
da Silva, Domingos
Unknown Affiliation
Høj, Lars
Denmark, Copenhagen
Statens Serum Institut
Sandström, Anita I.M.
Sweden, Sundbyberg
Styrelsen För Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete
Aaby, Peter
Denmark, Copenhagen
Statens Serum Institut
Statistics
Citations: 34
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 2
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.socscimed.2003.12.012
ISSN:
02779536
Research Areas
Infectious Diseases
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Cohort Study
Study Locations
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau