| Abstract: | Abstract This short report explores motivations and circumstances of fostering children at six sites in Zambia. Cross-sectional community household surveys using multistage random sampling (totalling 1503 households, reporting on 5009 children) and participatory qualitative research (focus groups and in-depth interviews) with adult and youth community members were conducted as part of baseline research for the US-funded RAPIDS (Reaching HIV/AIDS Affected People with Integrated Development and Support) programme. Interviews and discussions with community members revealed the complexity of fostering patterns and decision-making, considered from the dual perspectives of fostering household and fostered child. Programme implementers need to recognize the complexity of fostering in intervention design, including the possibility of introducing perverse incentives. |
