Young caregivers in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub‐Saharan Africa (original) (raw)

Against a background of rising adult mortality and morbidity in the face of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa, this paper provides both quantitative and qualitative evidence (gathered by a questionnaire survey, focus groups, storyboards and in-depth interviews) for the existence of a largely neglected group of young people with increased responsibility for caregiving. From three studies across Southern and Eastern Africa (in Lesotho, Tanzania and Zimbabwe) some young people are found to devote considerable time and energy to caring for sick members of their households.