Abstract
Background: Existing literatures in the West and Sub-Saharan Africa have suggested that children orphaned by AIDS are vulnerable to health and
behaviour problems.
Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the health and behavioural characteristics of children orphaned by AID Sin Abuja by comparing them with a matched non-orphan group.
Method: The study was a cross sectional control study. The Rutter Scale A, parents' version, was given to caregivers of orphans under the social and educational rehabilitation programme of the Cede Foundation which is a non-governmental organisation based in Abuja. A comparison group of non-orphans were also given the same questionnaire to fill and indicate the extent to which each statement applies to their child/ward. The caregivers also filled a questionnaire that assessed negative life events and their mental health status.
Results: AIDS orphans were more likely to have probable childhood mental disorder than non-orphans. Orphans were more likely than nonorphans to complain of headaches, bed wet, and more likely to arrive from school with tears. AIDS orphans more frequently exhibited behaviour
problems such as frequent fighting, restlessness, disobedience, were not much liked by other children, worried about many things, often appeared
unhappy,unable to settledownto tasks, often told lies and more likely to bully other children. Also, caregivers of orphans were often poorly educated
and significantly more likely to report negative life events and increased mental health problems. Caregivers'
mental health status and negative life events was found to predict a probable mental disorder in the orphans.
Conclusion: AIDS orphans in Nigeria are vulnerable to mental disorder. Implementing a psychosocial-based paediatric-centred intervention to
address these behavioural problems may help to increase the psychological adjustment required when a parent is lost.