Experiences of different household structures’ caring for people living with HIV and AIDS in the antiretroviral era: Case study of Nyamakate rural area in Zimbabwe

Despite the remarkable ART coverage and associated benefits, people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWH) require home care at the stage IV of HIV progression. Thus, home-based care (HBC) remains an important component of caregiving to PLWH in rural communities, but research on its social aspects is declining. This study explored experiences of households that care for PLWH in the ART era using a case study of Nyamakate resettlement area, Zimbabwe. Data were gathered using household interviews, key informant in-depth interviews, observations and focus group discussions. Most of the households had extended families and the highest number of household members was 13 people. Three family typologies cared for PLWH and these are nuclear, extended and “grandparent” households. Caregivers struggled to offer adequate care due to a number of challenges including lack of income, food shortage, transport problems and burden of care. ARVs were provided free of charge by government and an NGO seldom supported PLWH with food handouts. In conclusion, the HBC across the household structures continue to be stressed by the challenges associated with caring for PLWH even though they are on ART