Effects of coresidence and caregiving on health of Thai parents of adult children with AIDS.

PURPOSE

To explore potential effects on the health of older parents living with and caring for people infected with HIV.

DESIGN

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.