Psychosocial Wellbeing and Health of Caregivers of AIDS Orphans in KwaZulu Natal

描述(由申请者提供)：这项研究评估了那些在南非夸祖鲁纳塔尔(KZN)照顾艾滋病孤儿的人的心理社会和壁炉结果。这一地区的特点是处于生育和工作年龄的成年人死亡率很高，有大量儿童因艾滋病毒/艾滋病成为孤儿。拟议的研究将建立在申请人的定性初步研究(构成申请人的硕士论文)的基础上，该研究探索了KZN艾滋病孤儿照顾者的经历。这项博士研究的主要目的是评估和描述照顾艾滋病孤儿的人的心理社会福祉和健康方面的差异，作为照料的背景和安排的功能，例如，比较农村和城市环境中的家庭和非家庭安排。根据试点结果，申请者将：(1)对KZN的照顾者进行横断面调查，并分析调查数据，以确定照料安排与照顾者的心理社会福祉和健康之间的联系(第一阶段)；(2)根据调查结果，对KZN不同社区的照料经历进行定性的深入访谈(第二阶段)；(3)解释调查结果，注意南非的背景，并使用结论扩展现有的关于孤儿家庭结构和儿童照料的理论框架；以及(4)向与艾滋病孤儿护理有关的地方、国家和国际组织传播研究结果。这一多方法办法将通过突出照顾艾滋病致孤儿童的基层观点来填补文献中的空白。支持照料者(和儿童)的有效和可持续的方法需要超越主要是关于照料模式的轶事证据，而是更深入地了解这一流行病对提供照料的人的影响。目前，人们对那些照顾艾滋病孤儿的人的经历以及照顾孤儿健康和福祉的安排的后果知之甚少。 公共卫生相关性：利用多学科方法，这项研究解决了紧迫的全球卫生问题，并将继续与公共卫生相关，因为因艾滋病而成为孤儿的儿童数量继续增加。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This research assesses the psychosocial and hearth outcomes of those caring for children orphaned by AIDS in KwaZulu Natal (KZN), South Africa. This area is characterized by high mortality among adults of reproductive and working age, with large numbers of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The proposed research will build upon the applicant's qualitative pilot study (which constituted the applicant's Master's thesis) that explored the experiences among caregivers of AIDS orphans in KZN. The overarching aim of this doctoral research is to assess and characterize differences in the psychosocial wellbeing and health of those caring for AIDS orphans as a function of the context and arrangements of caregiving, comparing, for example, family versus non-family arrangements in rural versus urban environments. Based on pilot findings, the applicant will: (1) conduct a cross-sectional survey of caregivers in KZN and analyze survey data to determine the association between care arrangements and the psychosocial wellbeing and health of caregivers, using a psychometrically valid and culturally sensitive instrument (Phase I); (2) based on survey findings, conduct qualitative indepth interviews (Phase II) of the care experience in diverse communities in KZN; (3) interpret findings with attention to the South African context and use conclusions to extend existing theoretical frameworks on family structures and child care for orphans; and (4) disseminate findings to local, national, and international organizations relevant to AIDS orphan care. This multimethod approach will fill gaps in the literature by highlighting ground-level perspectives of care for children orphaned by AIDS. Effective and sustainable approaches to supporting caregivers (and children) require moving beyond largely anecdotal evidence on patterns of care and towards a deeper understanding of the epidemic's impact on those providing care. Currently, little is known about the experiences of those caring for AIDS orphans and the consequences of caregiving arrangements for orphans' health and well-being. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, this research addresses urgent global health concerns and will continue to be of relevance to public health as the number of children orphaned by AIDS continues to grow.