AIDS children have no first line of defence: Study

New Delhi, July 20 (UNI) Though education is acknowledged to be the first line of defence against the spread of HIV and AIDS, the epidemic has a large negative impact on education of children by affecting the access, demand, supply and quality of education, says a new study.

The study --''Socio Economic Impact of HIV and AIDS in India''-- found that children from HIV households not only have a lower rate of enrolment than those from non HIV households, but the dropout rates are higher and school attendance lower for those who have dropped out.

The study was undertaken by the National Council of Applied Economic research (NCAER) and supported by the National AIDS Control Organsation (NACO) and the United Nations Development Programme The girl child was found to be more affected, being more likely to be withdrawn from school.

''Since most of the HIV infected persons are not only in their prime working age but are also often parents of young school-going children, the epidemic would have an adverse on many aspects of child well-being,'' the study said.

The impact of the epidemic on schooling was estimated by comparing enrolment rates, type of school attended, school attendance rate across HIV and non-HIV households.

More children from HIV households dropped out of school to take care of sick or their younger siblings, assisting household chores or take up a job as compared to non-HIV children.

Reasons like ''not interested in studies'' and ''education consider unnecessary'' was higher for non HIV households, a clear sign that education is valued in HIV households and that they are forced by circumstances to withdraw their children from school.

Among the reasons for low school attendance, '' parent unwell'', ''not paid fees'', and had to look after younger siblings or attend to household chores'' was higher than those from non-HIV households.

Reasons like ''went out of station'', ''to attend social function'' were higher for children from non HIV households.

UNI NR MIR RS1831