AIDS morbidity and the role of the family in patient care in Uganda

Extended families and clans in African societies have extensive systems of treatment and patient management which can be used with AIDS sufferers. This paper used data from a baseline survey of six districts to study patient care in Uganda. The levels of AIDS illness are high, and highest in the sexually active age groups of 20-49 years. Of the nuclear family, parents, siblings, spouses and children are the dominant AIDS patients’ primary carers in that order. Other relatives in the extended family also contribute much primary care. The contribution of neighbours and friends to primary caring and of other relatives as secondary carers is small. This is perhaps because of the financial burden of caring for the patients. However, there are indications that households and families are coping with the effects of the disease