The adequacy of indigenous care practices in promoting coping efficacy among AIDS orphaned children in Babati district
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Date
2008
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the extent which indigenous care and social support were delivered and explore how aspects of the indigenous care and support practices could he utilized to enhanced coping efficacy among AIDS orphaned children. The study was conducted in Babati district, Manyara region in Tanzania. The study involved 28 village sages, 20 traditional healers, and 36 AIDS orphaned children. Purpose sampling technique was used to obtain the sample. Interview schedules, focus group discussions and documentary review data collection methods were used in this study. Major findings revealed that caregivers with prosocial behaviours such as generosity, love, empathy, and perseverance cared and provided social support that enhanced AIDS orphaned children’s coping efficacy. Indigenous care and social support practices were found to have both positive and negative aspects. While positive aspect enhanced coping efficacy among orphaned children, negative aspect were more likely to subject orphans to Further stress. Some of the indigenous mechanisms that had traditionally assisted orphans to cope were found to be overwhelmed due to economic hardships and increased number of orphaned children due to AIDS pandemic. Lack of knowledge and skills in caring and supporting AIDS orphaned children among indigenous caregivers were found to contribute to the provision of inadequate or wrong kind of social support. The study recommends that in order to assist AIDS orphaned children cope with their orphanhood, there is a need for indigenous to be trained on the quality provision of care and social support to AIDS orphaned children. It is also recommended that for protection of orphaned children’s rights there is a need to have in place legal mechanisms at the village levels to protect orphaned children’s right to property inheritance and protect them against abuse and discrimination.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF HV 1349.M32)
Keywords
Orphans, Children, Aids (Disease), Home care services, Babati district
Citation
Machumu, M. M (2008) The adequacy of indigenous care practices in promoting coping efficacy among AIDS orphaned children in Babati district,Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.