Objective: To find out the attitude towards illness and behavioral problems among HIV/AIMDS orphaned children and other chronically ill children – A comparative study. 

Methodology:  The current study is on 110 HIV orphans in the age group of 8-15 years was conducted at various centers in and around Hyderabad, Telangana.  The control group taken was 110 other chronically ill children such as tuberculosis and thalassemia.  It followed various tools such as Socio-demographic data sheet developed for the purpose of the study. The scales used were Childhood Attitude towards Illness Scale (CATIS) and Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). 

Results:  HIV affected children were older than children in control group and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.01).  HIV orphans have more negative attitude towards illness, emotional problems, peer problems, and conduct problems than other chronically ill children. The study also found that overall girls have more negative attitude towards illnesses than boys and boys showed more behavioral problems than girls. 

Conclusion:  HIV orphans have more negative attitude towards illness, internalizing problems (conduct and hyperactivity problems) but no significant difference in externalizing problem (emotional and peer problems).

Keywords:  HIV orphans, Psycho-social profile of HIV-AIDS children, Childhood attitude towards illness scale (CATIS), Strength and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ)