AEGiS-14IAC: HIV/AIDS family caregivers as workers.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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HIV/AIDS family caregivers as workers.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. E11465)

Bischofberger I, Spirig R
Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland

BACKGROUND: Due to effective antiretroviral therapeutic agents and continuously improved care, life perspectives have not only changed for HIV-infected people but also for their significant others. With the shift of the HIV-infection to a mainly chronic condition, family caregivers are partly released from constant hands-on support. However, they remain confronted with various ongoing challenges. Aim: To describe the work family caregivers are doing along the HIV illness trajectory.

METHOD: A literature review was conducted based on computerised data sources (MEDLINE, CINAHL) for the ten year period 1991-2001.

RESULTS: From the literature review, a work profile of HIV/AIDS family caregivers was developed. There are four different kinds of work that family caregivers perform regarding the HIV illness management: a) work with the HIV-infected loved ones, b) working the health care system, c) work within family relationships, and d) work with oneself. This family caregiver work profile is surrounded and influenced by the following contextual factors: a) HIV/AIDS as a chronic condition, b) context of silence and stigma, c) social and cultural context, and d) economic impact. Interestingly, the large majority of studies analysed is based on data collection periods before 1996, that means before the onset of highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART). Therefore, insights and evidence about the work profile and the overall situation of HIV/AIDS family caregivers after the onset of HAART is still largely missing.

CONCLUSIONS: The literature review provides insights about the complex work performed by HIV/AIDS family caregivers. Both, the work profile as well as information about the context of work, provides basis for family-oriented interventions. However, it is crucial, that this knowledge, which is mainly based on data from the pre-HAART era, is constantly updated in order to design and offer appropriate support programs for these family caregivers.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Caregivers, HIV Seropositivity, Delivery of Health Care, manpowerKWDaegis,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivinfections,caregivers,hivseropositivity,deliveryofhealthcare,manpower

020707
E11465

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.