Elderly Women’s Perceptions of People Living with AIDS under their Care: Case Study of Makumbi Mission/Zimbabwe

This study was undertaken at Makumbi Mission to assess elderly women’s perceptions on people living with AIDS under their care. Recommendations for improvement were made to all stakeholders. The study assessed the traditional beliefs, values, reactions and attitudes held by elderly women and investigated the experiences in their transaction with people living with HIV and AIDS. An analysis on how people living with AIDS appreciate the services rendered to them by elderly women was made. A convenient sample of ten elderly women aged between 56 and 86 years was chosen basing on their availability and willingness to participate in the study. Ten people living with AIDS and ten key informants in the community were interviewed. Elderly women were found to have different perceptions on people living with AIDS. These perceptions were influenced by their economic status, their knowledge and traditional beliefs on the disease. The following views were held about AIDS; that it is a natural disease like any other diseases (60%), results from carelessness on one’s life, is a disease of the prostitutes, from angered ancestral spirits and a punishment from God which accounted for 10% each. Knowledge and beliefs on HIV and AIDS varied, 60% cited Tuberculosis, 20% had knowledge about AIDS and 20% had no knowledge about the disease. Their reactions towards AIDS patients varied from mixed feelings {30%} and a greater number {70%} reported that they showed love and compassion. Challenges identified by the carers included lack of policy frameworks on elderly women care givers, resources, training, follow up visits by health professionals, and lack of motivation. To address the challenges experienced by care givers, the study recommended the urgency of calling on all stakeholders to work together rectifying unpopular misconceptions, beliefs, myths on people living with AIDS and the provision of adequate resources to care givers. The Government should come up with policy and legislation frameworks targeted at elderly women perceptions on people living with AIDS under their care