We look out for our children, Household (SIZE) 2010-12. Msunduzi Municipality - KwaZulu-Natal

Description:
This data set contains information on the households that met the inclusion criteria for this study. Information was collected from the primary respondent on themselves and their knowledge of the other household members.

For the household survey, 1961 of the 2032 (96.5%) eligible families participated and completed the baseline survey.
Abstract:
More than two decades after the end of Apartheid, the well-being of South African children is still in a precarious state. An emerging body of research examines the role that poverty and HIV/AIDS play in household functioning, parental illness and death, children's adverse experiences and children's health, education and psychosocial development (e.g. Birdthistle, 2004, Foster & Williamson, 2000; Richter, 2004; Williamson, 2000). However, many urgent scientific and policy questions remain. These include: What are the separate and combined effects of household poverty, parental illness and death on household functioning and children's adverse life experiences and well-being? How do communities, households and children cope with the dual crises of poverty and HIV/AIDS? Who is able to access government-funded grants and services and what is the impact of these on household conditions, children's adverse experiences and children's well-being? How does the impact of grants and services on households and children vary as a function of community factors?

The overarching goals of "Sibhekelela izingane zethu" or "We look out for our children" are to generate usable knowledge about how South African children are being affected by the co-occurring adversities caused by household poverty and HIV/AIDS, and assess the reach and influence of current government-funded grants and services. Data was collected from 24 communities defined by careful GIS mapping. All households were visited and those with a child between the ages of 7 and 10 years enrolled. Data was collected on all household members, the child's Caregiver and the child.

More specifically, the major themes explored in the Household Survey were:

Demographics

Education

Health

Social welfare and service access

Employment

Positive and negative household shocks

Living environment and food security

Community participation and cohesion