Exploring the Care Relationship between Grandparents/Older Carers and Children Infected with HIV in South-Western Uganda

Implications for Care for Both the Children and Their Older Carers

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15511570
AutoresRwamahe Rutakumwa (0000-0002-2907-0163, Uganda Virus Research Institute, autor de correspondencia), Flavia Zalwango (0000-0003-0819-5255, Uganda Virus Research Institute), Esther Richards (0000-0003-3568-9023, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine), Janet Seeley (0000-0002-0583-5272, University of London)
Año2015
Volumen12
Número2
Páginas2120-2134
Fecha de publicación2015-02-13
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
EditorialMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph120202120
PMID25689350
PMCIDPMC4344715
OpenAlexW1994668830
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas17
Referencias citadas26

The care of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa is often undertaken by grandparents, yet little is known about the care relationship between grandparent and grandchild. Our aim was to examine this relationship to understand the needs and responsibilities of both the HIV positive child and older carer and the nature of the relationship, and to assess the implications for care for the children and the older carers. A qualitative study was conducted with 40 purposively sampled children (13-17 years) and their older carers (50 years and above). Participants were recruited from two clinics in south-western Uganda. Up to three semi-structured interviews were held with each participant. Data were analysed using a thematic framework approach. We found that the care relationship was mostly reciprocal: HIV positive children depended on carers for basic and health needs and carers counted on the children for performing tedious household tasks. The relationship was also characterised by challenges, sometimes causing tension between child and carer. We conclude that: (1) interventions targeting HIV positive children need to also address the needs of older carers, and (2) carers and children would benefit from psychosocial support and social protection

Developmental psychology · Family medicine · Grandchild · Grandparent · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Psychosocial · Qualitative research · Thematic analysis · Child Nutrition and Water Access · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Nursing · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology · Gerontology