Thesis (M Cur)-- University of Limpopo, 2012. / ABSTRACT
Background and problem statement
The increase in AIDS related deaths of parents leave many children orphaned and some of
these children live with HIV. These children are cared for by primary caregivers who are
mostly elderly women. The primary caregivers experiences challenges when caring for the
children living with HIV. These challenges may be physical, spiritual, psychological and
social. The researcher conducted a study in order to explore the experiences of primary
caregivers caring for children living with HIV.
Aim and objectives
The aim of the study was to promote the mental health of primary caregivers who provide
care for children living with HIV attending the Wellness Clinic at the Jubilee Hospital in
Hammanskraal.
The objectives of this study were to: i) describe the biographical data of primary caregivers
who provide care for children living with HIV; ii) explore and describe the experiences of
primary caregivers who provide care for children living - with HIV; and iii) make
recommendations which are based on the findings of this study in order to assist the nursing
personnel at the Wellness Clinic in the promotion of the mental health of primary caregivers
based on the findings of this study.
Research Design and method
A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual design was utilised to enable the primary caregivers to share with the researchers their experiences of caring for children living with HIV. The setting was the Wellness Clinic at the Jubilee hospital, Hammanskraal.
Ethical principles were adhered to in order to protect the rights of the primary caregivers.
Throughout the process, the methods to ensyre trustworthiness of the study were foll9wed.
A purposive sample of eight primary caregivers was chosen for the unstructured interviews.
Data were analysed by the researcher and an independent coder using the Tescn method.
Research Findings
Consensus was reached after consultation with an independent coder,- about the following
categories i) primary caregivers' experiences in caring for a child living with HIV related to
the self of the caregiver; ii) primary caregivers' experiences related to the decision to
disclose the child's HIV status to various role-players were influenced by stigmatisation and
discrimination related to HIV and AIDS; iii) primary caregivers' challenges when caring for a
child living with HIV; and iv) the mobilisation of resources by primary caregivers to assist
them in caring for a child living with HIV. Findings were contexualised by implementing a
literature control and recommendations were made to promote their mental health.
Conclusions
Primary caregivers who cared for children living with HIV in this study were mostly elderly
women who were related to the children. They took over the care of the children living with
HIV after the children's parents had died. Although they were faced with many challenges,
their concern for the children's wellbeing made them to give the children loving care. They
found strength and support from prayer, faith and hope in God. The primary caregivers also
appreciated the support they received from the health care workers at the Well"ness Clinic.
Key words: caring, mental health, HIV, children, primary caregiver
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ul/oai:ulspace.ul.ac.za:10386/685 |
| Date | January 2012 |
| Creators | Bejane, Stella Mmatsatsi |
| Contributors | Havenga, Y., van Aswegen, E. J. |
| Publisher | University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus) |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Relation | Adobe Acrobat Reader, version 6.0 |
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