title: [Families living with HIV and Aids--review of the literature].
abstract: This article presents the current state of the art regarding the concept of families living with HIV and Aids. The literature reflects a comprehensive view including families of origin, families of choice and partnerships. It is evident that family networks of homosexual men are most systematically described in the literature; to a lesser extent families with hemophilia and i.v. drug users and even fewer studies are found regarding families with a heterosexual transmission background and especially female family caregivers. This paper also focuses on the wide range of support offered by these family systems. The acute and mostly terminal infectious disease Aids, as observed in the 80 Dies, has now become a predominantly chronic-progressive illness. Since the mid 90 Dies, the new antiretroviral therapies have further decreased morbidity and mortality, leading to less personal care, high-tech nursing requirements and household support. This development places families in a position of providing more emotional and advocatory support and companionship over a considerably longer time span. The discussion identifies strengths and weaknesses of the current literature in order to define deficits in the Anglo-American as well as in the German speaking area. From a nursing science point of view, the characteristics of HIV/Aids care must be further acknowledged, described and systematically studied, and results must be made accessible. This is important because the knowledge acquired by studying families affected by HIV and Aids is of interest for other family systems dealing with chronically ill family members. Finally, research recommendations are listed regarding family-oriented care and future study designs.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spirig
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bischofberger
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000451:nursing*; D005192:Family Health; D022143:Family Nursing; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
vernacular_title: Familien, die mit HIV und Aids leben--Eine Literaturübersicht.