This study examined the level of burden and the extent of support on family caregivers of people living with AIDS (PLWHA) in Calabar, South East Nigeria. Methods: A mixed method with cross sectional approach was used. Purposive sampling technique guided the recruitment process and data collection methods included, semi-structured questionnaires and focusing group discussion. 260 respondents participated in the study. The quantitative data were mined with the aid of SPSS and the qualitative data were analysed with the aid of NVivo8 using thematic analysis. Results: Results indicated high level of burden with limited support to caregivers. A Chi-square value of 25.1 was obtained at P < 0.05, suggesting a significant relationship between availability of support and caregivers burden. This relationship was supported by the themes of physical, social, emotional and financial burden for the caregivers. Similarly, information on coping skills, emotional support, financial assistance and help with caregiving themes emerged for social support. Conclusion: In Nigeria, the burden of caring for HIV/AIDS patients has a remarkable impact on family caregivers. This calls for the development of policies that can systematically address the needs of family caregivers in order to ameliorate the negative consequences of caregiving for PLWHA.
Aim This study evaluates nurses' leadership in research and policy formulation in southern Nigeria. Background In Africa and particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries, expected health information from nurse's leaders is sometimes not available, thereby hindering the attainment of sustainable health. Methods This qualitative study used 12 high‐ranking nurses leader from primary, secondary and tertiary health care systems in Cross River State, Nigeria. In‐depth interview and focus group discussion were used to generate and validate collected data. Results There was marginal leadership in research and policy formulation. The hindering factors were mainly individual and institutional barriers. Conclusion Nurses effective leadership in research and policy have not yet been actualized. Suggested remedies include mentoring of the mentee in research, provision of designated grants for nursing research, acceptance of nurses as policy formulators rather than implementers among others. The small sample size informs the need for further study throughout the region. Implications for Nursing Management Nurses have the capability to exercise influence directly or indirectly on health care goals. Dereliction in research and policy formulation could hinder the attainment of desired health care reforms due to absence of innovation in nursing practice and management.
HIV/AIDS scourge remains high in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa such as Nigeria, which is home to about 3.3 million HIV positive individuals and represents the second largest burden of HIV/AIDS care, treatment and demand worldwide after South Africa. Anti-retroviral treatment options though a welcome development, has increased the number of people living with this chronic illness, and most of them depend on family members for physical and emotional support. Traditional gender norms in Nigeria ensure that legitimately, women and girls are the first options for caregiving roles. This mandatory role has in turn imposed psychosocial disruption in the lives of female family members in Calabar, Nigeria. This descriptive study utilized convenient sampling technique, Zarit Burden Interview scale and semistructured questionnaires for data collection (260 respondents), and data analyses were achieved using SPSS16.0. The study showed that a significant (p < .05) proportion of women (91%) were involved in providing care, including children from 10 years and above. Caregivers had minimal social support which increased the burden they experienced. The need for policy that recognizes and supports female caregivers ("silent cornerstone") to reduce burden and ensure high quality care of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Nigeria is advocated.Keywords female caregivers, PLWHA, burden of caregiving, Nigeria 2 SAGE Open consequences from physically and emotionally demanding work of caregiving. The physical tasks performed by the caregivers transcend minor to complex tasks, which is similar to those carried out by paid health or social service providers. These impart a great degree of burden on the caregivers especially, as they combine the caregiving services with their official roles in the society. Caregiving has increased the burden of care on many households particularly the females, by worsening their economic status and subjecting them to imminent poverty. The need for heal thcare system and government to promulgate policies that will support female caregivers and also enhance quality of care to PLWHA in Nigeria becomes imperative. This study therefore highlights the extent of burden experienced by female caregivers compared to male counterparts and the support available to all caregivers of PLWHA in Calabar Municipality, Nigeria. Women and Burden of CareWomen constitute about 50% of the people living with HIV today worldwide (WHO, 2013). In 2007, the prevalence of HIV infection had been on men than women (UNAIDS, 2008), but with the turn of events women now bear the burden of this devastating disease more than men (WHO/ UNICEF/ UNFPA/World Bank, 2010). In sub-Saharan Africa, women constitute 60% of people living with HIV and the proportion of women living with HIV has been increasing in the last 10 years (WHO, 2013). These figures vindicate the words of Lewis (2005) that HIV/AIDS in Africa has a "female face." Apart from biological vulnerability of women to HIV, the African traditional gender norms stipula...
Malaria is mostly endemic in tropical environments and has caused several still births and deaths particularly among children. Effective control of malaria infection reduces maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rate in pregnant women and children (0-5yrs). A promising strategy has been the utilization of insecticide treated nets among these groups of persons. A mixed method study was carried out in Ikot Omin community in Cross River State, Nigeria to authenticate the effectiveness of the net utilization. Four specific objectives were developed to guide the study. Data were elicited from 225 respondents through the use of structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 and thematic analysis methods respectively. The results showed that the prevalent harsh and dry weather condition was the major barrier to utilization of ITN in the community. A focused communication strategy to address this challenge has been suggested. The possibility of provision of steady light supply through the use of solar power in the homes by those who can afford it can be explored as a remedy for promoting consistent use of ITN by pregnant women and under five children in this community.
HIV/AIDS currently is a major cause of disability and mortality especially in sub-Saharan Africa. As the population affected by HIV/AIDS increases, so does the burden of this chronic disease and the challenges associated with caring. HIV scourge in Nigeria has been overwhelming since 1992 with debilitating impacts and this study presents the extent of fear of susceptibility and the level of caregivers burden among Nigerian nurses. To direct the study, three special objectives and one hypothesis were raised, which were to determine the extent of fear of susceptibility and perceived seriousness of HIV, to ascertain the percentage of nurses who tested to know their HIV status and the associated level of caregivers burden among nurses. The study also determined the relationship between fear of susceptibility and caregiver’s burden. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 210 nurses caring for people living with HIV/AIDS in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Structured questionnaires and relevant validated scales such as Zarit Burden Interview [1] and abridged Champion Health Belief Model Scale [2] were used to elicit data. Results revealed that the majority of 41.0% respondents nursed fear of susceptibility despite the practice of universal precaution and perceived HIV as a serious and life threatening infection, 36.0% were not sure of their experience and 23% had no fear of HIV. 33.8% respondents experienced mild to moderate level of burden, 27.2% respondents experienced moderate to severe level of burden while 15.7% experienced severe burden. A Chi Square value of 68.2 at P < 0.05 was obtained showing a significant relationship between fear of susceptibility and caregivers burden. This paper discusses the implications of these findings for nursing and health care and recommends the implementation of educational opportunities to allay fears and minimize caregiver burden among nurses and other health care professionals.
In Africa, women play an indispensable role in family life. The normative roles of women extend from reproductive role to the raising of children and caring for sick family members. These roles are very unique and are dictated by culture, religion and beliefs. Despite these, their contributions in caregiving remain unrecognized except by the beneficiaries. Caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) experience high level of burden due to the expanded role and inadequate preparation for the caregiver's duty. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was utilized to elicit data from 260 participants in Calabar municipality, Nigeria. Caring for PLWHA is an exceptional service due to exacerbation of symptoms and co-morbidities peculiar to terminal phase of HIV. The study revealed gender inequalities in burden levels. Significant relationships (p < 0.05) also existed between burden of care, availability of support and duration of care during this study. Despite the perceived consequences, the family care givers were still determined to continue caregiving role. This informs the need for governmental support to ameliorate the negative consequences of caregiving by female caregivers.
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