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Abstract
The lived experience of family caregivers of AIDS orphans in rural Zimbabwe
J F K Mutikani
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, United States
Background: There is an ever increasing number of AIDS orphans in Zimbabwe. Little has been documented on the plight of family members that care for these children. I Zimbabwe's tradition specifically the Karanga in Masvingo Province, orphans are absorbe in the extended family. Because there more numbers of orphans, death of the breadwinners, children are left in the care of old grandparents who have no source of income or social security. This study sought to describe and understand the lived experiences of caregivers of AIDS orphans and how the caregivers address the situation
Methods: A qualitative hermaneutic method was used to collect and analyze data and describe the meanings of the experiences the caregivers go through. A purposive sample of 14 participants were interviewed. The interviews were tape recorded in the local Shona (Karanga) language, transcribed verbatim, translated into english and random interviews bac translated into English
Results: Preliminary findings of this study indicate that the caregivers face problems mainly related to poverty and lack of resources as opposed to the caregiving presenting as a burden. They all reported lack of adequate food, shelter, clothing and fees for the orphans. This trend has lead the caregivers to experiencing very difficult life styles.
Conclusion: It is imperative that poverty and lack of resources increases the burden of caring for aids orphans in the area of study. Interventions need to address basic needs rather than look at the problem per se. Narratives and quotes from the participants are used to describe the problems. Recommendations are made for intervention and policy makers to address the problems of AIDS orphans in rural areas of Zimbabwe.
The XIV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
MoPeE3824
Suggested Citation
" J F K Mutikani ,
The lived experience of family caregivers of AIDS orphans in rural Zimbabwe.
Poster Exhibition:
The XIV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
MoPeE3824"
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