EDUCATION OUTCOMES AND HOUSEHOLD ILLNESS AND DEATH IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOL SETTING.

It is widely recognized that the HIV/AIDS epidemic may significantly disadvantage children's education in severely affected countries, but empirical quantitative data demonstrating effects and children at risk are scant. The main objective of this study was to investigate associations between chronic illness and death in the household and select educational outcomes in a school setting. This study provides information on the extent of household illness and death in schools in two provinces in South Africa and explores the relationship between these events and select educational measures. Based on the study findings, we present some of the challenges facing the education sector with regards to managing and monitoring the impacts of illness and death, including HIV and AIDS on education at school level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]