The Burden of Caring: An Exploratory Study of the Older Persons Caring for Adult Children with AIDS-Related Illnesses in Rural Communities in South Africa.

Makhosazane Ntuli,Sphiwe Madiba

doi:10.3390/ijerph16173162

Abstract

Since the start of the HIV and AIDS epidemic, very little research has been conducted on the older persons’ provision of HIV-related care to adult children. This is despite the fact that a large proportion of adults who die of AIDS-related illnesses stay with their elderly parents during the terminal stage of their illnesses. This paper explores how older persons in rural settings experience caring for their adult children with AIDS-related illnesses. In-depth interviews took place with older persons aged 60 years and above. The qualitative data analysis was informed by thematic approach to identify and report themes using inductive approach. The paper found that the older persons undertake the caring role without resources and support. As a result, they are burdened with having to care for adult children with AIDS-related illness. Fatigue arising from the hard work of physically caring for their sick adult children day and night adds to the physical burden on the older persons. Older persons will continue to carry the burden of caring for people with AIDS-related illnesses due to the increase in the number of new infections in South Africa. There is a need to involve them in HIV/AIDS programmes; their experience and wisdom would surely contribute positively and assist in addressing HIV prevention.

Highlights

Sub-Saharan Africa has the most virulent HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world and accounts for about70% of the global number of 25 million infected people
The sample consisted of 31 older persons who had cared for adult children with AIDS-related illnesses; all but one were female
This paper has found that as much as the elderly undertake the caring role with diligence, it is never without challenges, some of which arise from their lack of the resources and support with which to undertake the caring role

Summary

Introduction

Sub-Saharan Africa has the most virulent HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world and accounts for about. 70% of the global number of 25 million infected people. South Africa has the highest prevalence of people living with HIV (6.1 million) in the world and accounts for 16% of the world’s new infections [1]. In 2016, the African region had 800,000 new infections, and South Africa accounted for one-third (270,000) of the region’s new infections [2]. According to UNAIDS [1], AIDS-related deaths have been reduced by more than 51% since their peak in 2004. AIDS-related deaths in 2017 [2]. HIV and AIDS affect older people in a number of ways. Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, many older persons have lost their adult children to AIDS, and the phenomenon continues to exist [3]

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