Orphans and vulnerable children in high HIV-prevalence countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Abstract

This study estimates the size and distribution of the population of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in eight sub-Saharan African countries with relatively high rates of HIV. It highlights the heavy burden and the multi-dimensional nature of caring for OVC particularly with regard to schooling and health care. The study finds that substantial proportions of children in these countries are OVC and that the prevalence of OVC varies widely across countries and across different population sub-groups with countries and sub-regions with a higher prevalence of HIV having a higher prevalence of OVC as well.