(2013-03) Gumede, Dumile Olivia; Gumede, Phiwayinkosi; Du Plessis, Gretchen
Dealing with HIV, AIDS, parental illness and death are realities many South
African teenagers have to face. Understanding the experiences of such
teenagers provides a vital ingress into the complexities of the HIV and AIDS
epidemic as a social phenomenon. The objective of this study was to describe
the psychosocial needs of orphans aged 13-15 years. In-depth interviews
were conducted with a purposeful sample of teenaged orphans in KwaZuluNatal. Findings reveal that these teenagers were confronted with drastic
changes before and after the deaths of their parents. Several losses were
experienced, such as the loss of a parent, the loss of friends, the loss of a
home, an inheritance and a childhood. The care experience of the teenagers
differed. Whereas some caregivers provided some of the needs of the
teenagers, unmet psychosocial needs and poor care were reported.
