AEGiS-15IAC: Gendered consequences of caregiving on informal caregivers of PLWHAs in semi-rural South Africa.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Gendered consequences of caregiving on informal caregivers of PLWHAs in semi-rural South Africa.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. TuOrD1118)

Akintola O
University of Natal, Durban, South Africa

BACKGROUND: The South African government is promoting home-based care programme due to the over-stretching of formal health facilities and the potential positive benefits for PLWAs. Yet, little is known about the consequences upon the caregivers let alone the broader strategic implications on home-based care in the country. Thus this study aimed to understand and describe the gendered consequences of caring on informal caregivers.

METHODS: This study was exploratory and descriptive. Using a participatory research methodology, in-depth interviews were used to collect ethnographic data from 41 informal caregivers in 2 semi-rural communities with high HIV/AIDS prevalence in KwaZuluNatal province in South Africa. Data were tape-recorded, transcribed and analysed using the constant comparison method consistent with the grounded theory approach.

RESULTS: Most caregivers were unmarried women, heads of households and breadwinners. There were only two men. Majority were siblings and mothers of the PLWAs. Caregiving tasks included basic nursing care, provision of moral and spiritual support to PLWAs, assistance with feeding, bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and shopping, fetching drugs and monitoring drug adherence transport to health facilities and liaison with medical health personnel. These tasks adversely affected their physical and emotional health while denying them opportunities to engage in economically productive work that might enhance access to good food, quality health care and social activities that may create positive health outcomes. However, they were unlikely to report any physical health problems since they prioritised the health of the PLWA. The preponderance of women as caregivers and unwillingness of men to assist because of adherence to rigid gender roles foists an unequal burden of care on the women. These were exacerbated by poverty. Findings suggest that home-based care programmes must take cognisance of the practical and potential consequences on caregivers if they are not to exacerbate existing gender inequalities.

Keywords: AEGIS, Caregivers, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Helping Behavior, Prevalence, Home Care Services, Socioeconomic Factors, Gender Identity, Activities of Daily Living, Rural Population, Family Characteristics, Health, Interviews, Health Services Needs and Demand, Poverty, South Africa, Humans, Female, Male, rehabilitation

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