Health problems of low-income female caregivers of adults with HIV/AIDS.

The purpose of this study was (a) to determine the mental and physical health status of low-income urban women who were providing informal home care to adults with HIV/AIDS, (b) to discover the best predictors of physical and mental health problems in the caregivers, and (c) to make recommendations for nursing interventions to assist these caregivers. The study was based on a conceptualization of female caregivers as a population vulnerable to increased morbidity. Personal interviews were conducted with caregivers (n = 36) of adults with HIV/AIDS who were attending HIV clinics in public hospitals. Caregivers had significant physical and mental health problems and experienced loneliness, loss, anger, isolation, and stigma. Caregiver distress over care receiver memory and behavior problems, anxiety, and lack of knowledge about AIDS were the best predictors of mental health problems. Caregiver depression, anger, and the number of care receiver illness symptoms were the best predictors of physical health problems.