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Abstract
AIDS-related multiple losses: a threat to care, culture, and communalty
R.K. Mallinson1, M.V. Relf1, C. Norton1, A. Liddle1, I. Jillson1, E. Pines2
Background: Nurses are frontline providers of AIDS treatment, and care. The nursing ´ethos´ compels nurses to engage in a caring relationship with patients. This is a challenge when patients are stigmatized, debilitated, and at the end-of-life. When patients with AIDS die, nurses experience a unique grief. Theory-based grief interventions that alleviate symptoms, reduce absenteeism, and promote self-care strategies are needed to retain nurses in the workforce.
Methods: The Nurses SOAR! [Strengthening Our AIDS Response] program provides an innovative ‘Loss & Grief” retreat for nurses in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The experiential, overnight intervention facilitates the discussion of losses, expression of emotions, and identification of distressing symptoms in a safe, confidential, and supportive environment. Cultural barriers to discussing death are overcome and practical strategies for managing personal and professional losses are provided.
Results: The initial grief retreats included 24 women and 4 men. Nurses witnessed an unprecedented number of AIDS deaths in their personal and professional lives. Nurses - and particularly the women - assumed additional burdens of caring for family members and neighbors who fall ill. Emotional numbness and distancing oneself from patients with AIDS were common complaints. Multiple funerals are costly; nurses admitted truncating - or eliminating - specific death rituals due to expense. As a result, they experienced guilt and spiritual distress. Losing one’s siblings often meant assuming care for orphans. Their guilt was compounded by not having the energy or resources to do more. Some nurses fear an emerging erosion of cultural values; the expectation that one would help neighbors has faded as families focus on caring for their own and not supporting the community.
Conclusions: Nurses dedicated to caring for persons with HIV and AIDS require targeted, culturally appropriate grief interventions and ongoing support services. Sustainable programs will train South African nurses to facilitate grief retreats and ongoing support groups.
AIDS 2008 - XVII International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
THPE0625
Suggested Citation
"R.K.Mallinson, et al.
AIDS-related multiple losses: a threat to care, culture, and communalty.
:
AIDS 2008 - XVII International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
THPE0625"
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