Spousal role and caregiver burden in HIV affected families in Anhui Province, China

Beyond the Burden: A Qualitative Inquiry into the Experiences of Chinese Informal Caregivers for People Living with HIV or AIDS

Purpose

Informal caregivers are defined as families or close friends of patients, which take considerable responsibilities for providing care to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Although there have been a number of studies in caregiver of PLWHA, research studies that sought to quantify the effects of informal caregiving for the caregivers failed to successfully provide empirical understanding of the nature of caregiving experience. Therefore, this study adopted a qualitative approach to explore the experiences and feelings of caregivers of PLWHA during the long-term care process.

Methods

The qualitative study was conducted in August 2023 in Beijing, China. Data were collected through individual in-depth semi-structured interviews with informal caregivers of PLWHA. Theme analysis was used to identify themes from the interview transcripts.

Results

A total of 21 participants were recruited into our study, 16 were family members of PLWAHA, and 5 were homosexual lover or close friend of PLWHA. Three major themes and ten sub themes were identified by thematic analysis: (1) care burden experience (including 5 sub-themes: negative emotional experience, psychological burden, economic burden, physical health loss and limitation of social interaction); (2) benefit findings from care (including 3 sub-theme: positive emotional experience, perceived social support, health promotion); (3) Demands for caregiving capacity (including 2 sub-theme: inadequate caregiving capacity and inadequate psychological comfort capacity).

Conclusion

This qualitative study provides a comprehensive exploration of the experiences faced by informal caregivers of PLWHA in China, uncovering the complex spectrum of psychological, physical, social, and economic challenges inherent in their caregiving roles, while predominantly challenging, caregivers also reported personal growth, increased social support, and emotional fulfillment. The research results could help in developing effective interventions to reduce the caregiver burden and improve their mental health.

Caregiver Burden Among Informal Caregivers of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Liangshan Prefecture, China

PURPOSE

Previous studies revealed that informal caregivers for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) experience perceived caregiver burden. Although Liangshan prefecture is one of the areas with the fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemics in China, little is known about burden of informal caregivers for PLWHA. This study aimed to evaluate caregiver burden and these predictors among informal caregivers of PLWHA in Liangshan prefecture, China.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study conducted from August to December 2017. We used convenience sampling to recruit informal caregivers of PLWHA. A total of 222 participants completed questionnaires including demographic information, caregiving-related information, and caregiver burden (measured by Zarit Burden Interview, ZBI). SPSS software was used to analyze the data. Independent student's t-test, one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA), Spearman rank correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were performed.

RESULTS

The mean ZBI score was 40.61 (SD = 14.47), and 199 (89.6%) informal caregivers had a mild or above caregiver burden. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that older age (P=0.003), caregivers with poor health (P=0.002), parent-caregivers (P=0.001), poorer ability in 'balancing caregiving needs and their own needs' (P<0.001), and 'managing emotional needs' (P=0.014) were significantly associated with higher level of caregiver burden.

CONCLUSION

The majority of informal caregivers had perceived caregiver burden in Liangshan prefecture of China. Findings emphasize that health-care providers, medical institutions and government should develop educational programs and policy to improve caregiver's ability to cope with caregiving for PLWHA, and take more attention to caregivers with health problem, at older age, parent-caregivers. These may contribute to reducing caregiver burden among informal caregivers of PLWHA.

Ability to Cope by Family Caregivers of People Living With HIV in the Yi Population in Liangshan Prefecture: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT

Informal caregivers' abilities to provide care for people living with HIV plays an essential role in improving health outcomes. Little is known about caregivers in the Yi population. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 216 participants completed the Chinese version of the Caregiver Task Inventory (CTI-C). The total mean CTI-C score was 17.46 (SD = 7.70), which showed a low level of caring ability. Regression analysis indicated that caregiving willingness and caring time were significantly positively associated with CTI-C scores. Knowledge regarding HIV was negatively associated with CTI-C scores. There is an urgent need to increase the level of HIV-related knowledge in the rural regions of Liangshan Prefecture. Education contributes to improved knowledge. Therefore, educational campaigns should be implemented to improve this situation. The local government should plan policies to improve educational levels and develop targeted knowledge-improving programs based on cultural background.

The determinants of willingness to care for people living with HIV-AIDS: A cross-sectional study in Indonesia

Acceptance and willingness to care for people living with HIV-AIDS (PLHA) in society is still a concern. The purpose of this study is to analyse the determinants of willingness to care for PLHA in Indonesia. A cross-sectional study was conducted to process the secondary data from the Indonesian Demographic Health Survey (IDHS) conducted in 2017. A total sample of 13,731 individuals was obtained by a two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique. The variables used were socioeconomic characteristics (age, sex, education, wealth quintile, residence, employment status and earnings), knowledge about HIV-AIDS, information about HIV-AIDS and willingness to care for PLHA. Binary logistic regressions were used to analyse the data. According to the data from IDHS 2017, 71.84% of total respondents in Indonesia are willing to care for PLHA. Female respondents, individuals in all wealth quintiles and those who have more information are more likely to care for PLHA. Respondents aged 35-49 years old and currently working are less likely to care for PLHA. However, level of education, level of knowledge, residence and earnings are not related willingness to care for PLHA. The dissemination of correct and accurate information about HIV-AIDS can help the community and society understand this condition. Thus, community members can accept PLHA and become more willing to provide care. The government can determine further policies for the appropriate dissemination of information, maximally and in accordance with recommendations. Collaborations among the government, health workers and the community are needed.

Mental Health Problems of Female Spouses of Men Living With HIV in Sichuan, China: A Qualitative Study

HIV disclosure to spouses can promote HIV prevention and facilitate support from those spouses; it can also cause mental health challenges for the spouses. We conducted a qualitative study of the mental health status and potential contributing factors of mental health challenges of spouses of men living with HIV in Sichuan, China. We interviewed 31 spouses whose husbands were living with HIV. Qualitative data were analyzed using content and thematic analyses. We found that mental health challenges were common among the spouses; leading challenges were themed as hopelessness, depression, and anxiety. Greater HIV knowledge, close relationship with husband, and psychological support may protect spouses from mental health challenges, whereas HIV-related stigma, heavy caregiving burden, and an unsupportive environment might be detrimental to mental health. Spouses of men living with HIV need mental health services, which should take into account a wide spectrum of contributors at individual, couple, and social levels.