The impact of HIV/AIDS on the development of children

This paper considers the psychosocial impact of HIV/AIDS' particularly the loss of caregiver support and the resultant stress on caregiving systems' on children's development and adjustment. First, the paper reviews in general terms the expected effects on children in the domains of economic and food security, psychosocial care, education, health, family composition and stability of care. The close association between poverty and HIV/AIDS is then discussed and attention is drawn to the likely cooccurrence of HIV/AIDS, poverty, loss of caregivers and deprivation associated with deepening poverty. Finally, the argument is made that the impact on large numbers of children of the combined effects of poverty and HIV/AIDS, namely school drop out, child labour abuses and the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children - are likely to cause significant social disruption.