... and welfare of HIV-affected individuals and families. This qualitative study examines how HIV infection and HIV caregiving affect household income in a population located within Botswana, a country with high HIV prevalence. The study found that extended unpaid leave from work or job loss are common consequences and are associated with failure to meet basic needs in the short and long-term. The authors make recommendations for policy and programme support, including workplace adaptations and public sector support for meeting health and basic needs of HIV-affected families.
In countries facing severe HIV/AIDS epidemics, the overwhelming majority of those who are infected and affected by HIV are already living in poverty. Further income loss can threaten the ability to meet basic needs such as food, education and access to healthcare. Due to this, understanding the impact of HIV infection and caregiving on household income is essential to improving the health and welfare of HIV-affected individuals and families. This qualitative study examines how HIV infection and HIV caregiving affect household income in a population located within Botswana, a country with high HIV prevalence. The study found that extended unpaid leave from work or job loss are common consequences and are associated with failure to meet basic needs in the short and long-term. The authors make recommendations for policy and programme support, including workplace adaptations and public sector support for meeting health and basic needs of HIV-affected families.
... routine health care. This paper makes clear that if families are to provide adequate care for orphans while economically surviving there needs to be increases in social supports and improvements in working conditions.
While over 90 per cent of the 15 million children who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS are cared for by family members, there is little information about whether adults can meet orphans’ essential caregiving needs while working to economically survive. Using a survey conducted in Botswana of 1033 working adults, the authors analyse the experience of adults who are caring for orphans. Over one-third of working adults were caring for orphans and many with few financial resources: 82% were living on household incomes below US$10 purchasing power parity adjusted per person per day. Because of their caregiving responsibilities, they were less able to supplement income with overtime, weekend, evening, or night work. At the same time caregiving responsibilities meant orphan caregivers spent fewer hours caring for their own children and other family members. Nearly half of orphan caregivers had difficulties meeting their children's needs, and nearly 75% weren't able to meet with children's teachers. Pay loss at work compounded the problems: One-quarter of orphan caregivers reported having to take unpaid leave to meet sick childcare needs and nearly half reported being absent from work for children's routine health care. This paper makes clear that if families are to provide adequate care for orphans while economically surviving there needs to be increases in social supports and improvements in working conditions.
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, low income, unmet need, bereavement, carers, children, families, employment;