255694 HIV/AIDS Home-Based Caregivers in Limpopo, South Africa

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Theresa Mieh, undergraduate student , BioBehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State Universtiy, State College, PA
Juliet Iwelunmor, PhD , Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Collins Airhihenbuwa, Research Advisor , BioBehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State Universtiy, University Park, PA
Caregiving for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) has been reported to have a physical, mental, and socio-economic impact on family and volunteer caregivers. Even though much has been written on the negative factors associated with HIV/AIDS caregiving, little is known about their cultural context and the role positive or existential (unique) factors play with caregiving for PLWHAs. In this study, we examined the role culture plays in HIV and AIDS caregiving among Home-Based Caregivers (HBCs) in Limpopo, South Africa. Data were gathered from 41 women who participated in four focus group discussions held in Limpopo. The PEN-3 cultural model was used to examine positive, existential (unique), or negative roles and expectations in caregiving for PLWHAs in Limpopo. In our findings, “resilience” emerged as the overarching theme in caregiving for PLWHAs. Resilience played a role in enabling HBCs to buffer the adversities associated with HIV and AIDS caregiving. Resilience is both positive and existential in African cultural response to caring and now evident in HIV and AIDS caregiving. The value of caring for one's family helped HBCs assume the role of the caregiver in the family even when there was no support from other family members. The findings highlight the importance of culture in understanding resilience among HBCs in South Africa.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
The learning objective of this presentation will be to identify positive, existential (unique), and negative aspects of caregiving for people living with HIV and AIDS in Limpopo, South Africa.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the lead author on the paper being submitted for presentation.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4360.0: Poster Session: HIV/AIDS, TB and Influenza