Study title

Zimbabwe

Household

Group

Organization

A multi-method approach was employed with a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Quantitative research methods: The data for the study were taken from a cross-sectional household survey of 4,577 children (2,328 girls and 2249 boys, aged 6-17) conducted between 2009 and 2011 in 12 sites (two small towns, four agricultural estates, two roadside settlements and four subsistence farming areas), spread across three districts in Manicaland province, and linked data on the characteristics of 28 primary and 18 secondary schools from a parallel facility survey in the same districts. These data were used to measure and compare levels of attendance and well-being of HIV-affected children in schools with varying scores on an ‘HIV competence’ index. For these analyses, child wellbeing was calculated as an index using principal components analysis to integrate the variables in each domain (health behaviours, risk and safety, physical health, psychological health, material situation, and social wellbeing) together to obtain a score for each child in that domain. The final score is then a weighted average of the different components that takes into account the variability and dependencies in the data. The HIV-competent school index was calculated based on data collected in the M&E facility survey on a range of HIV-specific and wider characteristics including basic facilities, student-teacher ratio, HIV policies, HIV/AIDS teaching, support for OVC, and links with local community and external organisations. The qualitative component of the study carried out case studies from 3 primary schools, and 3 secondary schools in rural Zimbabwean communities during the period July 2012 to June 2013 using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, photo voice, participant observation and draw-and-write exercises to explore community perceptions on the role of schools in supporting children affected by HIV. Study participants included HIV-affected children, primary students, secondary students, teachers, head masters and community members.