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

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究评估了南非夸祖鲁纳塔尔省（KZN）那些照顾艾滋病孤儿的人的心理社会和健康结果。这一地区的特点是育龄和工作年龄的成年人死亡率高，许多儿童因艾滋病毒/艾滋病而成为孤儿。拟议的研究将建立在申请人的定性试点研究（该研究构成了申请人的硕士论文）的基础上，该研究探讨了KZN艾滋病孤儿照顾者的经验。这项博士研究的总体目标是评估和描述照顾艾滋病孤儿的人在心理社会福利和健康方面的差异，作为照顾的背景和安排的功能，例如，比较农村与城市环境中的家庭与非家庭安排。根据试点结果，申请人将：(1)对KZN的护理人员进行横断面调查，并分析调查数据，以确定护理安排与护理人员的社会心理健康和健康之间的关联，使用心理测量学有效和文化敏感的工具（第一阶段）；(2)根据调查结果，对KZN不同社区的护理经验进行定性深度访谈（第二阶段）；(3)根据南非的背景来解释研究结果，并利用结论来扩展现有的关于家庭结构和孤儿照料的理论框架；(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。这种多方法的方法将填补文献的空白，突出了对艾滋病孤儿护理的基层观点。支持照料者（和儿童）的有效和可持续方法需要超越关于照料模式的大量轶事证据，而更深入地了解这一流行病对提供照料者的影响。目前，人们对照料艾滋病孤儿的人的经历以及照料孤儿的健康和福利安排的后果知之甚少。

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.