The Exceptional Role of Women as Primary Caregivers for People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, West Africa

Asuquo, Ekaete Francis; Akpan-Idiok, Paulina Ackley

doi:10.5772/intechopen.93670

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…There were more women (almost two-thirds) than men respondents directly involved in the care of the sick in the hospital, their mean age was 50.81±17.77. The predominance of female respondents in this study is in agreement with the global observation of the role of women in the family as caregivers [41][42][43] and especially so in Africa [44,45] . Awareness of infant surgery was 61.5%, with most respondents being unaware of infants previously operated upon.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

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2023

Int. J. Paediatrics Geriatrics

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Background: Patient-related barriers to accessing surgical interventions including patient education issues, stigma, traditional beliefs, and absence of social support, negatively impact surgical outcomes. This study aimed at evaluating the awareness, attitude, and reasons for the disposition of patients and their relatives towards the offer of surgical intervention for infants and the old in Port Harcourt in the year 2022/2023. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Port Harcourt Nigeria, among patients and relatives of patients at extremes of age (infants and the old) using an intervieweradministered questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: Of 575 respondents recruited with a mean age of 50.81±17.77, 395 (68.9%) were females. While 351 (61.5%) respondents were aware of the possibility of carrying out surgical operations on infants, 189 (32.9%) were aware of consent decline for surgery for their infants and, 66 (11.5%) stated the child died as a consequence of such a decision. Whereas, 493 (86.0%) of respondents were aware that surgery could be carried out on old persons, 196 (34.5%) were aware of consent decline for surgery for the old, for which some died. Yet, 444 (77.2%) and 459 (80.8%) of respondents had a positive attitude to surgery in infants and old persons, respectively. Aversion to surgery were mainly due to fear of losing child (72.3%) and fragility of old person (46.0%). Conclusion:This study documented the awareness and attitude to surgery at extremes of age, and uncovered the reasons for such dispositions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Untitled

2023

Int. J. Paediatrics Geriatrics

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“…Many family members do not understand the condition, which is not helped by the fact that diagnostic services are largely non-existent ( Dias et al, 2008 ; Patel & Prince, 2001 ). Typically, informal caregivers are female relatives ( Asuquo & Akpan-Idiok, 2020 ) of middle age or spouses of the person diagnosed with dementia ( Brodaty & Donkin, 2009 ) with no professional caregiving training ( Etters et al, 2008 ). Studies conducted in the SSA context find that informal caregivers often have low education levels and lower incomes, factors that further increase the caregiver burden ( Yakubu & Schutte, 2018 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘It is stressful, almost every hour…’: Experiences of caring for people living with dementia in Kenya—An interpretive phenomenological approach

Mwendwa

Mutunga²,

Kroll

et al. 2021

Dementia

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Introduction As chronic conditions such as dementia become increasingly prevalent, the role of caregivers will become ever more critical. In the East African region, little is known about the experiences of caring for people living with dementia. This study aims to describe the views of being a caregiver, including day-to-day responsibilities and duties, determine the impact of caregiving and understand participants’ experiences of supports available or required to facilitate caring for a person living with dementia in Kenya. Methods This was a qualitative study that employed an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach. We used convenience sampling to identify study participants in three counties in Kenya. Participants were main caregivers for the family and hence included both families and paid caregivers. We recruited 10 caregivers to participate in the study (9 females and 1 male). Data were analysed manually following the IPA approach. Results Three main themes emerged from the analysis: the personal experience of caregiving, supports to assist with caregiving and the perceived unmet care needs. The challenges experienced varied based on the support available to the caregiver, the number of years in the caregiving role and knowledge and skills related to providing care. Conclusion Our study shows that caring for a person living with dementia is an arduous experience, requiring significant mental and physical effort. The study highlights a general lack of knowledge and awareness of dementia among families, healthcare professionals and the general public. Training programmes for caregivers, including dementia care skills, educating healthcare practitioners and organising public awareness programmes to understand and accept dementia are urgently needed.

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“…[ 10 13 ] Perhaps the cultural factors in most patriarchal societies that attribute responsibilities of providing care to females could contribute to women taking on this role. [ 14 15 ] Further, the extended family support systems in sub-Saharan Africa which usually rely on family members to provide care for the sick may partly account for the higher proportion of family members serving as treatment supporters. [ 16 17 18 ] Similar findings have been reported in other LMICs such as Thailand and Indonesia which are also culturally based on the extended family system.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tuberculosis preventive practices among treatment supporters in Lagos, Nigeria

Kanma-Okafor¹,

Okechukwu²,

Ozoh³

et al. 2023

Ann Afr Med

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Context: Tuberculosis (TB) treatment support is one of the recommended strategies to enhance treatment adherence and outcomes. Treatment supporters are at risk of contracting TB and adequate knowledge of TB and good preventive practices are required for their protection. Aims: This study aimed at assessing the knowledge and preventive practices of TB treatment supporters at Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) centers in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos state, Nigeria. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 196 TB treatment supporters selected from five DOTS centers in Lagos. Methods: Data were obtained using an adapted pretested questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used: Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with self-protection practices. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.3 ± 12.1 years. More than half of the respondents were females (59.2%) and immediate family members (61.3%). Overall, 22.5% had good knowledge of TB, while 53.0% had positive attitudes toward TB. Only 26.0% adequately protected themselves from infection. The caregiver's level of education ( P = 0.001) and their relationship to the patient ( P = 0.001) were significantly associated with good preventive practices in bivariate analysis. Not being related to the patient was a predictor of adequate TB prevention practices (adjusted odds ratio = 2.852; P = 0.006; 95% confidence interval = 1.360–5.984). Conclusions: This study revealed low levels of TB knowledge and fair preventive practices, especially among caregivers who are relatives. There is, therefore, a need to improve population literacy about TB and its prevention and a more focused orientation of relatives who volunteer as treatment supporters, through health education, with periodic monitoring during clinic visits, of how they prevent TB.

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The Exceptional Role of Women as Primary Caregivers for People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, West Africa

Cited by 7 publications

References 43 publications

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‘It is stressful, almost every hour…’: Experiences of caring for people living with dementia in Kenya—An interpretive phenomenological approach

Tuberculosis preventive practices among treatment supporters in Lagos, Nigeria

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