lynx   »   [go: up one dir, main page]
IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bfy/ojejhs/v8y2024i5p14-27id2229.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Exploring the Experiences of Informal Caregivers of HIV Positive Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women on Existing HIV Services in Fako Division, Southwest Region, Cameroon: A Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Ebobesem Margaret
  • Dickson Shey Nsagha
  • Nicholas Tendongfor
  • Brenda Mbouamba Yankam
  • Claude Ngwayu Nkfusai
  • Serge Ngekeng
  • Che Joseph Ngwa
  • Emmanuel Yenshu Vubo
Abstract
Purpose: Despite global efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), challenges persist, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Cameroon. This qualitative study explores the experiences of informal caregivers supporting HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women in the PMTCT Option B+ program in Fako Division, South West Region, Cameroon. Materials and Methods: Employing a sequential qualitative research design, the study involved fifty-one informal caregivers in focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Thematic and interpretive phenomenological analysis, facilitated by Atlas.ti software, was utilized to explore caregiver challenges, coping mechanisms, and their impact on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) adherence and overall well-being. Findings: Caregivers face psychological, economic, and physical challenges, including emotional ambivalence, economic constraints, and fear of infection. The study highlights caregiver burnout and identifies coping mechanisms such as emotional control, integrating HIV/AIDS into daily life, spirituality, feelings of hope, and seeking support from family and society. Despite challenges, caregivers find reward in witnessing care recipients' progress. The research also reveals gender role shifts and the importance of open discussions about HIV/AIDS. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Recognizing the crucial role of informal caregivers in PMTCT, addressing their well-being is essential. Training caregivers can enhance adherence, supporting UNAIDS goals, and alleviating health system burdens. This emphasizes the importance of caregiver involvement in achieving global HIV targets by 2030.

Suggested Citation

  • Ebobesem Margaret & Dickson Shey Nsagha & Nicholas Tendongfor & Brenda Mbouamba Yankam & Claude Ngwayu Nkfusai & Serge Ngekeng & Che Joseph Ngwa & Emmanuel Yenshu Vubo, 2024. "Exploring the Experiences of Informal Caregivers of HIV Positive Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women on Existing HIV Services in Fako Division, Southwest Region, Cameroon: A Qualitative Study," European Journal of Health Sciences, AJPO Journals Limited, vol. 8(5), pages 14-27.
    • Handle: RePEc:bfy:ojejhs:v:8:y:2024:i:5:p:14-27:id:2229
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://ajpojournals.org/journals/index.php/EJHS/article/view/2229/2844
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bfy:ojejhs:v:8:y:2024:i:5:p:14-27:id:2229. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Chief Editor (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://ajpojournals.org/journals/index.php/EJHS/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.
    Лучший частный хостинг