The relationship between orphanhood and child fostering in sub-Saharan Africa, 1990s-2000s

Abstract

In countries most afflicted by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa, orphanhood has increased dramatically, but the potential consequences of the increase have been mitigated by the ability of households to absorb orphans. This paper examines what the rising levels of orphanhood mean for the common practice of non-orphan child fostering in regions of high and low HIV prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, which has a long history of child fostering. Using Demographic and Health Survey data from 135 regions within 14 sub-Saharan countries that undertake HIV testing and have had at least two surveys, we examine changes in fostering patterns. In most regions, we find a more accommodating relationship between orphan and non-orphan fostering: communities are able to absorb the demand for both orphans and non-orphans. Where HIV prevalence exceeds 10 per cent there is some evidence that the need to care for orphans is beginning to reduce opportunities for non-orphan fostering.

Figure 1

Prevalence of non-orphan fostering by orphan fostering in sub-national regions of 14 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1990s–2000s sub-national regions Source: As for Table 1 Note: In Figure 1(b), Line A is the linear trend line for regions where HIV prevalence is less than ten per cent. Line B is the linear trend line for regions where HIV prevalence is greater than ten per cent.

Figure 2

Proportional change in orphanhood between surveys by HIV prevalence, sub-national regions of 14 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1990s–2000s Source: As for Table 1

Figure 3

Annual change in prevalence of non-orphan fostering by annual change in prevalence of orphan fostering, sub-national regions of 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, 1990–2000s, with regions distinguished by HIV prevalence at most recent survey Source: As for Table 1

Figure 4

Predicted prevalence of non-orphan fostering by HIV prevalence and level of orphan fostering in 2005, sub-national regions of 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa Note: Black lines indicate the observed range of orphan fostering prevalence for regions within each category of HIV prevalence; the grey lines indicate predicted values outside the range of observed values. Source:As for Table 1