Person living with HIV becomes a community care-giver: A case study

Abstract

The prevalence of HIV in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa is 16.9%. Although the Department of Health (DOH) has increased the workforce in an attempt to address the burden of disease, there are many people who are unable to access these services. This has resulted in the emergence of informal care-givers for those living with HIV. This case study explores the challenges faced by a voluntary health care-giver. This care-giver was diagnosed with HIV approximately 20 years ago. She made an effort to learn about the disease by attending lectures informally, and subsequently, courses in basic counselling and peer education. Among the challenges faced by people with HIV/AIDS, are accessing services at local hospitals where the waiting times are very long and patient–practitioner interaction is sub-optimal. Difficulties are also experienced in receiving Anti retro virals (ARVs). Palliative care is also necessary. Besides the challenges with access to care and treatment, issues with stigma are also pervasive and contribute to decisions to seek care and impede HIV prevention initiatives. She is educating people to remove the stigma surrounding HIV, educating them about transmission, counselling people living with HIV and providing informal care to them. This study highlights the need for satellite or mobile clinics and also emphasises that nurses need to be more sympathetic when treating people living with HIV. We conclude that people living with HIV can serve an important role to educate and assist others. Training should be provided to these community care-givers.