Caregiver Burden in HIV Disease. Executive Summary and Final Report

摘要

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a chronic disease which can cause stress for family members and others providing support to patients. Caregiver burden refers to the physical, psychological, social and financial problems faced by those providing care. We studied caregiver burden in HIV infection, interviewing 72 caregivers of patients. Caregivers were most often female relatives or male homosexual lovers of patients. Drug or alcohol abuse in the patient, personal risk for HIV, and being employed increased caregiver burden. For those with personal risk for HIV, factors increasing burden were lower mental health, financial strain, and the patients' level of disability. For those without risk, lower mental health or social support, and patients' need for assistance with activities of daily living increased burden. Many caregivers wanted more contact with health care providers and needed more information about caring for patients.