The needs of HIV positive patients and their families

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Date
2002-05
Authors
Ndaba, Baliwe Semly
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University of the Free State
Abstract
English: HIV infection is a global problem affecting individuals of all racial groups, socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures, sex and age The statistical information available at all governmental levels shows only a tip of an iceberg, because of the small number of people who present themselves for HIV blood tests. In South Africa, for example projected statistical information at provincial levels is based on the results of antenatal women attending the public primary health care facilities (who volunteered to be tested for HIV) (refer to Figure 1.1). The aim of the study was to identify the needs of HIV positive patients and their families. A qualitative study was done that captured the unique experiences of the interviewed subjects, by tape-recording the unstructured interviews of both the HIV positive individuals and their family members. Purposive sampling was done from the attendance register, with the assistance of the primary health care centre personnel and specialized Auxiliary Officer at Koffiefontein. Subjects participated voluntarily in the research, after signing an informed consent form. The sample comprised both adult males and females. Saturation. was reached after interviewing four patients and three members of their families. Giorgi's method of data analysis was used (See Appendix II) Identified needs were classified into themes/constituents and groups using activities of daily living as described by Uys (1999). The groups were further categorised into major categories according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Under the physiological needs, the needs identified included nutrition, sleep, rest, respiration, exercise, water and hygiene. The emotional support, empowerment and financial support form the pillars for the safety and security needs. In the love and belonging needs category, the communication and self concept needs of subjects were identified. The self-esteem and self-actualization needs revealed the needs for emotional support, understanding and compassion towards the HIV positive individuals and their families. HIV infection affects not only those who have the virus, but also those who irrationally fear infection, those who are at risk of being infected (who fear infection), friends, families, professionals and volunteer care givers, and neighbours of HIV infected individuals alike. The elderly are also included, because this disease affects their children who are economically active. HIV infected individuals are normally taken care of by their relatives during their final stage of the disease (AIDS). On their death the elderly take care of their children. Where there are no relatives the children may be taken to orphanages, hospitals and for foster caring. The disease per se is a multifaceted challenge that needs a multi-disciplinary approach from grass roots level to the highest authority in the country to fight against its spread (intersectoral collaboration). People living with AIDS and their families need understanding and compassionate community members to support them emotionally, thereby removing the burden of the stigma associated with this disease.
Afrikaans: HIV-infeksie is wêreldwyd 'n probleem wat 'n inpak maak op die lewens van individue van alle rassegroepe en socio-ekonomiese agtergronde, ongeag kultuur,geslag en ouderdom. Die amptelike statistiese inligting wat beskikbaar is, dui maar op die punt van die ysberg, omdat so min mense hulself aanmeld vir bloedtoetse om te bepaal wat hul HIV-status is. In Suid-Afrika, byvoorbeeld, word statistieke op provinsiale vlak gebaseer op die resultate van toetse gedoen op swanger vroue wat die primêre gesondheidsorgfasiliteite besoek, en hulself vrywilliglik laat toets vir HIV. Die doel van die studie was om die behoeftes van HIV-positiewe pasiënte en hul gesinne te bepaal. 'n Kwalitatiewe studie, wat die unieke ervaring van die proefpersone met wie onderhoude gevoer is, vasgeê het, is uitgevoer. Dit is gedoen deur ongestureerde onderhoude wat met beide die pasiënte en 'n familielid van elk gevoer is, en op oudioband geneem is. Doelbewuste steekproefneming is gedoen uit die bywoningregister van die primêre gesondheidsorgsentrum of Koffiefontein. Die hulp van die personeel van die sentrum en die Spesialis-Hupdienstewerker is hieroor ingespan. Die proefpersone het vrywillig aan die navorsing deelgeneem nadat 'n vorm vir ingeligte instemming geteken. Die teekproef het beide die mans en vroue ingesluit. Versadiging is bereik nadat onderhoude met vier pasiénte en drie familielede gevoer is. Giorgi se metode is vir die data-analise gebruik (vgl. Appendix II) Geïdentifiseerde behoeftes is in temas en groepe ingedeel volgens daagliks aktiwiteite deur Uys (1999). Die groepe is verder gekategoriseer volgens Maslow se behoeftehiërargie. Onder fisiogiese behoeftes is voeding ,slaap,rus,respirasie,oefening, water en hygiene aangespreek. Die behoefte aan emosionele ondersteuning, bemagtiging en finansiële ondersteuning vorm die boustene van die kategorie oor veiligheid en sekuriteit. In die kategorie van liefde en om te behoort, is kommunikasie-en selfkonsepbehoeftes aan emosionele ondersteuning,begrip en deernis teenoor die pasiënte wat HIV-positief toets en hul families na vore gekom. HIV-infeksie het nie net 'n invloed op die lewens van die persone wat die virus opgedoen het nie, maak ook op diegene wat 'n irrasionele vrees het vir infeksie,digene wat die risiko loop om geïnfekteer te word (wat infeksie vrees), vriende,gesinne,professionele en vrywillige gesondheidswerkers en bure van HIV positiewe persone. Bejaardes word ook getref, want die siekte tas hul kinders, wat ekonomiese aktief is, aan. Persone wat HIV -geïnfekteerd is, word deur hul familielede versorg geduurende die finale stadiums van die siekte (VIGS). Indien hulle te sterwe kom, moet die bejaardes na hul afhanklikes (kinders) omsien. Indien daar geen familielede is nie, kan dit gebeur dat die kinders na kinderhuis of hospitale verwys word of in pleegsorg geplaas word. Die siekte per se is 'n uitdaging met vele fasette en 'n multidissiplinêre benadering, met insette vanaf grondvlak tot op die hoogste vlak (intersektoriale samewerking) word benodig om die verspreiding daarvan te bekamp. Mense wat VIGS het sowel as hu gesinne het 'n gemeenskap wat begrip en deernis toon nodig om hulle emosioneel te ondersteun en daardeur die stigma wat aan die siekte kleef, uit te wis.
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AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Services for, AIDS (Disease) -- Families, Dissertation (M.Soc.Sc. (Nursing))--University of the Free State, 2002
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