Improving Education Opportunity, Health, and Quality of Life of Orphans and Vulnerable Children: The Sustainable Action against HIV and AIDS in Communities (SAHACOM)

Abstract

Aims: This study evaluated the impact of the Sustainable Action against HIV and AIDS in Communities (SAHACOM) project in improving education opportunity, health, and quality of life of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Cambodia. Study Design: Operational intervention study. Place and Duration of the Study: Five provinces in Cambodia, from 2010 to 2014. Methodology: A two-stage cluster sampling method was used to select 756 OVC at midterm and 785 OVC at end line for face-to-face interviews. Outcome indicators from end line (2014) were compared to those obtained at midterm (2012). Where possible, the data were also compared with data obtained from baseline documentation (2010). Results: The percentage of OVC receiving external support for child care surged from 30.0% at baseline to 84.0% at midterm but decreased to 76.8% at end line. Compared to children at midterm, children at end line were significantly more likely to report having attended school regularly in the past 12 months, less likely to suspend study in order to work to help feed the family in the past 12 months, less likely to respond that food supports and other basic needs such as clothes and other household materials were the most important needs for their family today, more likely to perceive that supports for child education were the most important for their family today, less likely to report that their family reduced times for daily meals due to the shortage of food in the past 12 months, and more likely to rate their general health and overall quality of life as fair, good, or very good. Conclusion: This study indicates significant impact of the SAHACOM on education, health, and quality of life of OVC in Cambodia. This community-based model should be adapted for future interventions, taking into account the available resources.