Role of the HIV-sensitive protection services in mitigating the challenges and vulnerability of the children affected by HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh: a qualitative study

Abstract

Children are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of HIV/AIDS. HIV-sensitive protection services (HSPS) can reduce vulnerability by increasing access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and basic social protection services. Few organizations in Bangladesh offer these services to children affected by HIV/AIDS (CABA). This paper reports on the challenges faced by CABA due to their or their parents’ HIV/AIDS status and the role of HSPS on mitigating these challenges. We did fifteen in-depth interviews with purposively chosen CABA, and seventeen in-depth interviews with purposively chosen caregivers of CABA. We found, CABA faced significant challenges such as poverty, emotional stress, stigma in their lives. Gender norms increased these vulnerabilities especially among women. HSPS services helped through motivating parents or guardians to send their children to school and thus reduce child marriage and child labour. Also, helped in improving children’s self-esteem with improving relationships between children and parents. Though the services were available, accessibility was limited due to distance, roundtrip cost, poor health conditions of the parents and gender issues.HSPS are effective in improving children’s well-being. Continued and increased support to access services including financial assistance, psychosocial counselling, and community sensitization activities is recommended.