Investigating the Effectiveness of Case Management among Orphans and Vulnerable Children at Household Level in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, a large proportion of children lack basic necessity and support for optimum development. In Nigeria, the estimated number of children who are orphans and vulnerable and in need of essential care is 17.5 million as of 2008. Major causes of orphaning and vulnerability include poverty, conflicts, HIV/AIDS, road accidents, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and harmful cultural practices. Hence, the Case management approach has been adopted as a community service delivery strategy for addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children at the household level. This study investigated vulnerable households in Enugu State who have been ever enrolled into Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) donor-funded programs and received services that are geared toward enhancing their socio-economic stability. The standard OVC custom indicators were used in measuring the results and outcomes of services provided to OVC and their caregivers. The results show significant effect and impact of the case management approach in OVC program service delivery as over 50,000 beneficiaries from over 14,000 households were served from four domains of Healthy, Safe, Schooled and Stable. Households received these services after enrolment and were moved from a state of vulnerability to self-resiliency. Also, results show strong collaboration between OVC implementing NGOs and government stakeholders in terms of capacity building and systems strengthening in addressing the need of OVC and their caregivers. Conversely, results indicated a week synergy between local and state government OVC officials – hampering on their oversight capabilities of OVC programs. This can be improved with increased funding and coordination.