Ameliorating the Impact of Caregiving through Supporting Family Caregivers of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Calabar, Nigeria

The high prevalence of HIV in Nigeria and the degree of incapacitation at the terminal stage of
HIV/AIDS dictate the need for supporting family caregivers, who provide the principal informal longterm
care, to an ill or disabled family member. This paper investigated the ameliorative measures for
reducing the impact of caregiver’s burden on caregivers of people living with AIDS (PLWHA) in
Calabar, Nigeria. The study utilized a mixed method with convergent design and purposive sampling
technique guided the recruitment and data collection processes. About 260 participants were recruited
in the study and SPSS Version 16.0 and NVivo8 software were used for data analysis. Finding
revealed a high level of burden which was supported by physical, social, emotional and financial
burden themes. Limited support in reference to financial assistance, paucity of information on practical
and coping skills, emotional support and lack of physical help with caregiving. A significant
relationship (Chi-square value of 25.1, P< 0.05) between availability of support and caregivers burden
was obtained. With about 130,000 new HIV infection in Nigeria, more family members will take–up
caregiving role without adequate preparation to ameliorate caregiver’s burden. The development of
policies by Government which address the relief of the burden should be promulgated as well as the
institution of counseling services by national and international health organizations.