Does being an orphan decrease the nutritional status of Luo children?

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is creating a generation of orphaned children in Africa. The number of orphans will continue to increase long after the HIV/AIDS crisis has peaked; therefore, it is important to determine how best to assist these children. Current studies investigating the impact of orphanhood have conflicting results and conclusions. Several studies report that orphans are at a disadvantage and are more likely to suffer from malnutrition, whereas other studies report no difference between the nutritional status of orphans and nonorphans. Four hundred eleven Luo children (mean age 9 +/- 1 years) were recruited to participate in a study investigating the impact of orphanhood on nutritional status. Participants underwent an interview, anthropometric measurements, testing for anemia, a clinical history, and a physical exam. Anthropometric variables and hemoglobin level were compared across groups using a t-test. The reference population used for comparison of anthropometric variables is the 2000 CDC growth reference data. All analyses were gender specific, and the effect of length of orphanhood was also investigated. The data presented here suggest that there is no significant difference between the nutritional status of orphaned and nonorphaned Luo children. This study supports research indicating there is little, if any, difference in nutritional indicators between orphans and nonorphans. Orphans may live in households with higher socioeconomic statuses than nonorphans. Luo orphans may not be at higher risk for poor nutritional status than nonorphans; therefore, interventions targeted at this age group should include both orphaned and nonorphaned children.

Nutritional status and dietary diversity of orphan and non – orphan children under five years: a comparative study in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana

“…For instance, the risk of child undernutrition was not significantly different between orphan and non-orphan children in Kenya [18]. There was also no significant difference in nutritional status of orphan and non-orphan Luo children [26]. Data from China did not also show significant difference in the nutritional status of orphans and non-orphans [27].…”

Household and community HIV/AIDS status and child malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from the demographic and health surveys

“…These findings, though consistent with patterns observed in specific settings in sub-Saharan Africa (Bridge et al., 2006; Owen et al., 2009; Zidron et al., 2009), call for further research to better understand the possible mechanisms. Possible explanations for lack of differences in nutritional status between orphans and non-orphans have included the possibility that orphans live in wealthier households than non-orphans (Zidron, et al., 2009). However, our findings show no evidence of orphans being more vulnerable even after controlling for household wealth index, and therefore support the view that any nutrition interventions should be targeted at all vulnerable children, both orphaned and non-orphaned.…”

Educational Disparities in AIDS-affected Communities: Does Orphanhood Confer Unique Vulnerability?

“…As a result, many studies have found that orphans are less likely to be in school and more likely to fall behind (Case et al, 2004;Bicego et al, 2003;Monasch and Boerma, 2004;Case and Ardington, 2006;Jaramillo and Tietjen, 2001;Bennell, 2005;Bhargava, 2005;Mishra et al, 2007;Saito et al, 2007;Operario et al, 2008;Gundersen et al, 2006;Zidron et al, 2009;Beegle et al, 2006;Beegle et al, 2009;Ssewamala and Curley, 2006;Evans and Miguel, 2007;Ueyama, 2007;Nyirenda et al, 2010), with enrolment disparities most evident for older children (Yamano et al, 2006;Ueyama, 2007). Even within the same household, there is evidence that orphans are less likely to attend school than biological children (Case et al, 2004;Saito et al, 2007).…”