Caring for HIV Positive children: Psychological functioning of care-givers with HIV positive children: a Qualitative study.
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Date
2019-01
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Abeba University
Abstract
Background: HIV/AIDS is an epidemic infectious illness which affects anyone regardless of age,
sex, social class, academic level and race. It has a significant direct or indirect impact not only on
the patient but also on the care-givers with significant morbidity, mortality and economic burden.
Despite an increased care for the infected individual, the psychological impact of the illness on the
care-givers has been undermined specially in low to middle income countries including Ethiopia.
To date there have been no studies about the psychological functioning of care-givers raising HIV
positive children.
Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the psychological functioning of care-givers
of HIV positive children following at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital.
Methods: Data was gathered on 14 participants, biological parent and close relative, using semistructured
interviews.
The
interviews
were
conducted
in Amharic,
transcribed
and
then translated
into
English.
The
data
were
analyzed
using
thematic
analysis
Result; This finding showed that the care-givers age range from 22-85 and 13 out 14 care-givers
were female. Majority of them were at low academic level, low socioeconomic status and have
temporary employment. Most of them were biological and single parent and they were also seropositive.
The
result
identified
that
caregivers
experienced
emotional
pain
after
hearing
the
result,
persistent
or
transient
maternal
guilty,
depression,
dealing
with
sero-discordance,
discrimination,
disclosure
concern
and
change
of
behaviors
in
the
child.
The
finding
also
highlighted
the
presence
of
economical
struggle,
house
problem
and
unemployment
on
the
care-givers.
To
get
through
their
psychological
distress
care-givers
also
used
spirituality,
hope,
getting
financial
or
material
support
and
sharing
responsibility
with
older
children
as
their
coping
mechanisms.
Conclusion; Caring for HIV positive children is found to be psychologically burdensome
especially in a resource limited setting. So, having an integrated mental health service for caregivers
is unquestionable. Considering the high burden of care-giving in women, it will be very
important to involve male care-givers and empower women economically.
Description
Keywords
HIV ,HIV Positive children,Psychological care-givers with HIV positive children