Assessment of the need for palliative care for children in South Africa.

UNICEF and the International Children's Palliative Care Network undertook a joint analysis in three sub-Saharan countries-Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Kenya-to estimate the palliative care need among their children and to explore these countries' capacities to deliver children's palliative care (CPC). This report concerns the findings from South Africa. The study adopted a cross-sectional mixed-methods approach using both quantitative and qualitative data obtained from primary and secondary sources.

Interventions for improving the psychosocial well-being of children affected by HIV and AIDS.

Background: As a result of HIV-related mortalities more than 13 million children under the age of 15 have lost a parent due to HIV and AIDS. There are also many children who have HIV-positive parents or primary caregivers; these children are affected by HIV and AIDS and are potentially vulnerable to HIV transmission. Children affected by HIV and AIDS are more vulnerable and face greater challenges to their psychosocial well-being compared to other children of the same age.

Attendance, drug use patterns, and referrals made from North America's first supervised injection facility.

Background: North America's first government sanctioned supervised injection facility (SIF) was opened in Vancouver in response to the serious health and social consequences of injection drug use and the perseverance of committed advocates and drug user groups who demanded change. This analysis was conducted to describe the attendance, demographic characteristics, drug use patterns, and referrals made during the first 18 months of operation.

Methods: As part of the evaluation strategy for the SIF, information is collected through a comprehensive on-site database designed to track attendance and the daily activities within the facility.