AEGiS-15IAC: The impact of the AIDS epidemic on the living arrangemnts and well-being of elderly caregivers in sub-Saharan Africa.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

The impact of the AIDS epidemic on the living arrangemnts and well-being of elderly caregivers in sub-Saharan Africa.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. MoOrD1094)

Ssengonzi R
Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, United States

BACKGROUND: In sub-Saharan Africa, care, treatment, and support for patients with AIDS-related illnesses and their relatives primarily are home-based and borne by family members. This often calls for caregivers to adjust their living arrangements significantly. One particular group impacted by these adjustments is elderly relatives because of their central role in immediate care to persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Yet, little attention has been given to how elderly caregivers in countries with a high burden of HIV/AIDS disease are impacted. This paper examines changes in the mobility and residential arrangements of elderly caregivers in Uganda as they provide such care, and effects on their health and well-being.

METHODS: Qualitative research among 256 elderly respondents (50 years and above) was conducted in 10 rural and urban communities within two Ugandan districts. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews provided detailed personal experiences and views of elderly respondents-who had cared for AIDS patients, AIDS orphans, and other relatives affected by the AIDS epidemic-on how they had been affected.

RESULTS: The majority of elderly respondents had cared for two or more HIV-infected patients and three or more orphans in the past five years. This not only created a financial burden since caregivers had to meet the costs of care, but also caused physical ailments due to the day-to-day care. Care by elderly providers also led to loss of productivity, plus significant disruption in day-to-day activities since they had to care constantly for the patients and at times traveled away from home for long periods to cater to the patients elsewhere. Prolonged travel and changes in living arrangements also strained family relationships.

CONCLUSIONS: This study offers insights on the indirect effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on the elderly population, an important issue that has not been optimally addressed in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: AEGIS, Africa South of the Sahara, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Caregivers, Foster Home Care, Disease Outbreaks, HIV Infections, Family, HIV Seropositivity, Focus Groups, Demography, Population, Data Collection, Family Relations, Empathy, Uganda, Aged, Humans

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MoOrD1094