Social workers perspectives on social support needed by people living with HIV/AIDS

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African government has laws and policies that forbid discrimination againstindividuals. These policies protect people from being discriminated against in the workplacedue to sickness, race and many other factors. Discrimination against people living withHIV/AIDS has caused many people who suffer from this disease not to come forward withtheir illness because they fear being discriminated against and stigmatised; some even losetheir jobs because they are infected with HIV. People infected with HIV are discriminatedagainst not only in the workplace but also in their communities and families. This implies thatpeople living with HIV/AIDS need support from all levels of society in order to live positivelives, which may lead infected people to live longer.This study explored HIV/AIDS as terminal illness and the stressors experienced by peopleinfected with the virus. This was done by examining the support available to people livingwith HIV/AIDS, as well as identifying the support needed by these people. By adopting anecological approach to the study, the need for support could be investigated on multiplelevels.A combination of a quantitative and qualitative research design was used in the study. Datawere gathered by means of a semi-structured interview schedule that was administered duringindividual interviews with service providers. This allowed for data that were both measurableas well as rich in description to be collected. The questions in the semi-structuredquestionnaire were based on the information retrieved from the literature review.The findings from the empirical investigation revealed that people living with HIV/AIDSreceive limited support from their families, the South African government and society atlarge. The findings further indicated that informal sources of support such as family, friendsand partners are relatively supportive of people living with HIV/AIDS. However, therelationships between people living with HIV/AIDS and their families and partners are oftenstrained, especially when a person first discovers his or her status as HIV positive.Furthermore, people living with HIV/AIDS are stigmatised on multiple levels because of their status. There is stigmatisation from family, friends, in the workplace and in thecommunity.The most important recommendations resulting from the study are that services such ascounselling are needed for people living with HIV/AIDS together with their families. This isof particular significance to the South African government, especially the health sector,which needs to improve the health care system.In addition, recommendations emphasise the importance of promoting education andawareness, which could have great value for people living with HIV/AIDS, their families andcommunities. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS would empower people at all levels to supportthose who live with the disease and would also be of great value in helping those living withthe disease to contribute something of value towards their health condition.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University