TITLE:
Assessing the Relationship between Caregivers Burden and Availability of Support for Family Caregivers’ of HIV/AIDS Patients in Calabar, South East Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Ekaete Francis Asuquo, Josephine B. Etowa, Prisca Adejumo
KEYWORDS:
Family Caregivers; Caregivers’ Burden; Caregivers’ Support; People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA); Nigeria
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of AIDS,
Vol.3 No.4,
December
11,
2013
ABSTRACT: Purpose: This study
examined the level of burden and the extent of support on family caregivers of people
living with AIDS (PLWHA) in Calabar, South East Nigeria. Methods: A
mixed method with cross sectional approach was used. Purposive sampling
technique guided the recruitment process and data collection methods included,
semi-structured questionnaires and focusing group discussion. 260
respondents participated in the study. The quantitative data were mined with the aid of SPSS and the qualitative data were analysed
with the aid of NVivo8 using thematic analysis. Results: Results indicated high
level of burden with limited support to caregivers. A Chi-square value of 25.1 was obtained at P and financial burden for the
caregivers. Similarly,
information on coping skills, emotional support, financial assistance and help with
caregiving themes emerged for social support. Conclusion: In
Nigeria, the burden of
caring for HIV/AIDS patients
has a remarkable impact
on family caregivers. This calls for the development of policies that can
systematically address the needs of family caregivers in order to ameliorate the negative
consequences of caregiving for PLWHA.