Revista de SIDA e investigación clínica

Perception of People Living with HIV and AIDS Regarding Home Based Care in Malawi

Abstract

Mercy Pindani, Alfred Maluwa, Makhubella Nkondo, Betty Mkwinda Nyasulu and Winnie Chilemba

Results are presented of perception of the people living with HIV and AIDS regarding home based care in Malawi. The study was conducted in Lilongwe from April to May, 2009. The participants were people living with HIV and AIDS and were drawn from 3 organizations that deal with people living with HIV and AIDS. These organizations were: Light House, National Association for People Living with HIV and AIDS in Malawi and Lilongwe Diocese. Purposive sampling technique was used to choose people living with HIV and AIDS who had rich experience on home based care. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with the participants using an open ended interview guide. Data saturation was reached when in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 people that were living with HIV and AIDS. Qualitative data was analyzed using ATLAS ti5.0. The participants reported that most of the home based care was rendered by close relatives who were mostly immediate family members such as spouses, daughters, mothers, sisters and brothers. The perception of the participants was that health care workers and volunteers only complemented the care provided by the close family members weekly or fortnightly. They also complained that the biggest challenge with home based care was stigma and discrimination by other community members and distant relatives. They further complained that most care providers lacked knowledge and resources for home based care. It is therefore recommended that the various stakeholders in Malawi such as government, community volunteers and non-governmental organizations support and train the home based care givers