AEGiS-14IAC: The social impact of AIDS on families in Botswana and Namibia.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

The social impact of AIDS on families in Botswana and Namibia.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. E11467)

Rompel MU, Gronemeyer R, Rakelmann GA
University, Giessen, Germany

BACKGROUND: As Botswana and Namibia have the highest HIV infection rates, one can assume that there is an immense impact of HIV and AIDS on the daily life within families.

METHODS: About 240 qualitative interviews, conducted in rural and urban settings in Botswana and Namibia.

RESULTS: - The discourse about HIV and AIDS within families follows mainly the same patterns as the general public discourse: Within families, the own infection or illness (or that of family members) is not a subject for discussion, there is hardly any talk about the suffering associated with the disease. The causes to remain silent are numerous. These include the shame associated with admitting to being infected (which is connected with the taboo not to speak about sexuality), the fear of being isolated (or putting the family under pressure) and a social imperative to keep the secret (not to loose the job etc.). In many cases the infected individuals have to deal with the certitude of their infection by their own. That puts immense emotional pressure on them. For a rising number of infected people suicide is a way out of this situation. - Traditional coping strategies and social security systems (as extended family etc.) are approaching their limits: Most affected families find themselves in vicious circles. A rising amount of money is needed for medical treatment and burials. On the other hand, the number of breadwinners is decreasing (and with them the manpower to obtain subsistence agriculture) with family-members dying or others engaged with caring for their ill relatives. The need to deal with the immense numbers of orphans leads to an increased physical and economical burden. One consequence is, that the school-drop-out figures of children are rising because the children are needed to work in the household (or agriculture). Moreover the death of adult persons in the rural setting is connected with an extreme loss of knowledge about subsistence agriculture and cultural practises.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Family, HIV Infections, Foster Home Care, Botswana, Namibia, Caregivers, Adaptation, Psychological, Sex Behavior, Health Services Needs and Demand, Health Resources, Interviews, Adult, Child

020707
E11467