Exploring the Care Relationship between Grandparents/Older Carers and Children Infected with HIV in South-Western Uganda: Implications for Care for Both the Children and Their Older Carers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Rwamahe Rutakumwa¹  Flavia Zalwango¹  Esther Richards²  Janet Seeley¹ 

[1] Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute, P.O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda; E-Mails:;Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK; E-Mail:

关键词: children;    older carers;    grandparents;    reciprocity;    care relationship;    HIV/AIDS;    Uganda;    sub-Saharan Africa;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph120202120

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The care of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa is often undertaken by grandparents, yet little is known about the care relationship between grandparent and grandchild. Our aim was to examine this relationship to understand the needs and responsibilities of both the HIV positive child and older carer and the nature of the relationship, and to assess the implications for care for the children and the older carers. A qualitative study was conducted with 40 purposively sampled children (13–17 years) and their older carers (50 years and above). Participants were recruited from two clinics in south-western Uganda. Up to three semi-structured interviews were held with each participant. Data were analysed using a thematic framework approach. We found that the care relationship was mostly reciprocal: HIV positive children depended on carers for basic and health needs and carers counted on the children for performing tedious household tasks. The relationship was also characterised by challenges, sometimes causing tension between child and carer. We conclude that: (1) interventions targeting HIV positive children need to also address the needs of older carers, and (2) carers and children would benefit from psychosocial support and social protection.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.