Stigma Associated With Ghanaian Caregivers of AIDS Patients / Commentaries / Response

This study explores the experiences of informal caregivers of AIDS patients in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. Fifteen interviews were completed in 2002 with 11 informal caregivers, including wives, mothers, boyfriends, daughters, sons and brothers of AIDS patients. Three major themes emerge in th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Western journal of nursing research 2006-06, Vol.28 (4), p.369
Main Authors: Mwinituo, Prudence P, Mill, Judy E, Stevens, Patricia, Demi, Alice S, Ayres, Lioness
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AIDS
Caregivers
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus
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Summary:This study explores the experiences of informal caregivers of AIDS patients in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. Fifteen interviews were completed in 2002 with 11 informal caregivers, including wives, mothers, boyfriends, daughters, sons and brothers of AIDS patients. Three major themes emerge in the analysis of the interviews with caregivers: stigma, caregiver burden, and caregiver commitment. In this article, the authors focus on the theme of stigma by documenting its presence and highlighting its impact on caregiving activities. Caregivers go to great effort to not only "hide" their patients but also their care giving activities, resulting in the social isolation of both patients and their caregivers. Many caregivers live in secrecy, not sharing their family member's diagnosis with extended family members. As a result, they receive limited support from the extended family. Stigma results in negative attitudes of neighbors, relatives, and health care workers toward caregivers and their patients. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0193-9459
1552-8456