Effects of coresidence and caregiving on health of Thai parents of adult children with AIDS.
OBJECTIVE
To explore potential effects on the health of older parents living with and caring for people infected with HIV.


METHODS
Comparison of health outcomes between affected parents and matched nonaffected parents, and between principal caregivers and nonprincipal caregivers in Thailand.


METHODS
Survey data from 394 affected households and 376 nonaffected households; qualitative data from 18 interviews of affected older parents.


RESULTS
A large proportion of older people with HIV-infected children provided time-consuming and strenuous caregiving services to them. Mothers shouldered most of this burden. Mothers who had a child die from AIDS reported lower levels of overall happiness than did mothers who had not. Mothers and fathers of PHAs (persons with HIV/AIDS) who died reported lower levels of overall happiness compared to 3 years previously (before the time of the death of their child) and compared to parents from households that did not experience an adult child's death. Many parents of children with AIDS experienced anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, muscle strain, and head and stomach aches during the time they cared for their ill children.


CONCLUSIONS
Many older people suffered adverse health outcomes related to living with and caring for their children with AIDS. Recommendations indicate a variety of programs that might help such older parents.
Kespichayawattana
Jiraporn
J
Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
VanLandingham
Mark
M
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000451:nursing*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D032721:Adult Children / Q000523:psychology; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006240:Happiness; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology