Resilience among older caregivers in rural Namibia: The role of financial status, social support and health

Eveline Ndii Kalomo, Kyoung Hag Lee, Elizabeth Lightfoot, Rachel Freeman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Namibia has one of the highest human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence rates and one of the highest rates of orphanhood in the world, and older caregivers provide much of the care to Namibians living with HIV and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) (UNAIDS, 2014). In this study, the authors explore how financial status, social support, and health were related to the resilience of caregivers caring for people affected by HIV and AIDS in rural northern Namibia, Africa. Method: Data were collected through a structured interview from (N = 147) caregivers from the Zambezi region. Results: Findings from this study show that employment and physical health were significantly associated with increased resilience in older caregivers. Discussion: Our findings point to the need for employment assistance and health services to improve the resilience of caregivers caring for people living with HIV and AIDS. We conclude that there is a need for more vigorous concerted efforts from public and private sector practitioners and policy makers to create more sustained formal employment opportunities and intervention programs aimed at improving the overall health of older HIV caregivers, especially those residing in rural HIV endemic communities in developing countries.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)605-622
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Gerontological Social Work
Volume61
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 18 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Africa
  • caregivers
  • employment
  • health
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Resilience
  • social support

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Nursing (miscellaneous)

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