A social work investigation on how HIV and AIDS positive patients cope with their illness at Katutura Intermediate Hospital: Windhoek, Namibia
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Date
2012
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
The main purpose of the study was to investigate the coping ability of HIV and AIDS positive patients. The research venue was Katutura Intermediate Hospital: Windhoek. The qualitative approach and phenomenological design was used to gain in-depth information about how participants cope with their illness. Data were collected from 20 respondents using semistructured interviews. A tape recorder and field notes were used as supportive methods. A content analysis was done to analyze the data.
The findings were based on six sections that were explored during the semi-structured
interviews which are as follows: personal information, support networks available, the
influence of cultural world views as well as coping mechanisms and counseling needs.
The findings indicated that the participants who receive HIV and AIDS medications left school in Grade 8. They have knowledge about HIV and AIDS which they get from the Radio but still the information is not enough to enable them to cope with their illness.
The findings suggest that people need support from the community, churches and their families but this support network is not sufficient to enable them to cope. They need the support for as long as they live. The investigation into the cultural world view towards AIDS indicated that community members see HIV and AIDS as a bad disease and view people who have it as bad also. HIV positive people then feel discriminated against and fear that they will experience stigma in the community and
that they will be dying soon. The findings confirmed that the HIV and AIDS participants do not cope with their illness. They will only cope when their needs are sufficiently met. The patients get counseled by nurses, lay counselors, social workers, psychologists, and doctors. The participants suggested that they need counselling from professionals for as long as they live.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Social Work)
Keywords
HIV & AIDS