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

Bibliographic Data

ID15511570
AuthorsRwamahe Rutakumwa (0000-0002-2907-0163, Uganda Virus Research Institute, corresponding author), 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)
Year2015
Volume12
Issue2
Pages2120-2134
Publication date2015-02-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph120202120
PMID25689350
PMCIDPMC4344715
OpenAlexW1994668830
LanguageEN
Citations received17
References cited26

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