Psychosocial Challenges Associated with Caregiving in the Context of Pediatric HIV in Rural Eastern Cape.

Antonio G Lentoor

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2017.00127

Antonio G Lentoor

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2017.00127

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Abstract

While survival among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children has increased due to combination antiretroviral therapy, many children remain vulnerable to the adverse effects of poverty and family disruptions as a result of the loss of one or both biological parents to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The aim of this qualitative study was to develop an understanding of the psychosocial challenges experienced by caregivers caring for a child with perinatally acquired HIV. A series of interviews were conducted with 44 HIV-positive and -negative primary caregivers of HIV+ children. Data were analyzed through interpretative phenomenological analysis using NVivo8 software. The findings suggest that caregiving is compromised by inadequate, financial resources and single-headed households where mainly grandparents assume the role of primary caregivers of HIV+ children. HIV remains a stigmatized illness that weakens support networks, as well as timeous and free accessibility to healthcare. This has a negative impact on the mental health of caregivers, with the majority of women in the study displaying symptoms of depression. The findings highlight the contextual challenges of caregiving in the presence of HIV, which impacts negatively on social ecology of the families. The need for interventions to enhance resilience and coping in families confronted with HIV is indicated.

Highlights

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) continue to pose a global health threat [1], with the AIDS pandemic having claimed millions of lives in the world over since it was first identified in the early 1980s [1, 2]
This study is one of few that qualitatively explore the effects of HIV/AIDS on caregiving in a rural setting from a socio-ecological perspective, while trying to understand the systemic impact of the HIV/AIDS disease on the families
It reiterates the special role that caregivers play in the lives of HIV-infected children and the contextual challenges associated with caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS within a resource constraint setting

Summary

Introduction

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) continue to pose a global health threat [1], with the AIDS pandemic having claimed millions of lives in the world over since it was first identified in the early 1980s [1, 2]. While survival among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children has increased due to combination antiretroviral therapy, many children remain vulnerable to the adverse effects of poverty and family disruptions as a result of the loss of one or both biological parents to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

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