Young caregivers in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub‐Saharan Africa

Abstract

Against a background of rising adult mortality and morbidity in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub‐Saharan Africa, this paper provides both quantitative and qualitative evidence for the existence of a largely neglected group of young people with increased responsibility for caregiving. Using questionnaire surveys, focus groups, storyboards and in‐depth interviews in three studies across Southern and Eastern Africa some young people in Lesotho, Tanzania and Zimbabwe are found to devote considerable time and energy to caring for sick members of their households. Examination of the tasks carried out by these youngsters finds them to be burdened beyond usual familial and societal expectations of children's ‘normal’ contributions to the reproduction of households via domestic chores and suchlike. It is concluded that these young people can be described as ‘young carers’. The three studies are presented to illuminate different socio‐spatial aspects of caregiving by young people. First, using qualitative data from Lesotho the range of caring tasks young caregivers perform for care recipients – usually a grandmother, parent, or sibling – is identified. Second, the impact caregiving responsibilities have on children's primary school attendance is examined using survey data from Tanzania. Third, the wider negative and positive impacts of caregiving including loss of friends and gaining of emotional maturity for young carers and their households is explored with in‐depth individual interviews from Zimbabwe. Finally, suggestions are made for further research to deepen understanding of the geographies of caring within the context of the population geographies of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub‐Saharan Africa and beyond. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Children as carers: an integrative review

“…The literature reviewed evidences that the young carers have an average age of 12 years, and that the majority are female (5) .…”

“…The care which the children provide to the dependent person includes instruction, guidance and observation about correct and incorrect behaviors and language training; entertainment and leisure activities are also provided (1)(2)5,19) .…”

“…-It develops in the children intelligence, perception, a feeling of responsibility, maturity, and personal and social skills (1,(5)(6)12,15,17) ;…”

“…This type of care may include one or more of the following components: personal care, health care, house-keeping, supervision, specific behaviors referent to discharge from the hospital setting, and emotional support. The children may provide care directly or indirectly, and the fact on its own of taking on the responsibility for an adult's health encompasses the ambit of caring (3)(4)(5) . It is important to note that taking on this role is closely related to the population's demographic and sociocultural context (5)(6) .…”

“…The children may provide care directly or indirectly, and the fact on its own of taking on the responsibility for an adult's health encompasses the ambit of caring (3)(4)(5) . It is important to note that taking on this role is closely related to the population's demographic and sociocultural context (5)(6) .…”