Guidelines for nurses at a comprehensive primary healthcare clinic in Cape Town, with which to advise youths on self-management following the loss of a family member with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

HIV/AIDS-related deaths often result in emotional turmoil in youths and added responsibilities by their parents, such as taking care of siblings. Youths may respond in various manners, such as increased alcohol use, and relationships with their siblings may be positively or negatively affected. There is also a high incidence of depression in people who are distressed, making them less likely to engage in active self-management strategies such as exercise. Youths visit public hospitals for various reasons, including panic attacks and anxiety, which are often experienced after the passing of a family member. The researcher has observed an increase in youths visiting a Comprehensive Primary Healthcare clinic in Cape Town after being traumatized due to the passing of a family member. The purpose of this study was to develop guidelines for nurses at a Comprehensive Primary Healthcare clinic in Cape Town, with which to advise youths on self-management following the loss of a family member with HIV/AIDS. A descriptive phenomenological design was followed for a study at Khayelitsha Site B Comprehensive Primary Healthcare in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The sample was selected through purposive sampling until data saturation was achieved. Individual semi-structured interviews with 11 participants were conducted, after which data saturation was established. An interview schedule and field notes were used during the interviews, which were conducted in a private room with youth aged between 18 and 25 years who visited a Comprehensive Primary Healthcare clinic in Cape Town after the lost a family member to HIV/AIDS. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted and findings indicated that time related circumstances define behaviour with which to manage death. Someone who unexpectedly loses a family member goes through specific stages of grief, ranging from emotions such as denial to acceptance. This grieving person also has to deal with difficult changes in daily lives and therefore need support measures. In the process of taking ownership of their new role of supporting others (who were previously supported by the departed person), they sometimes give up their own dreams. Sad experiences blocked out memories of good times with the deceased and participants focused mainly on obtaining support systems to move forward. The findings of the study could benefit the broader community of nurses and provide self-management guidelines for youths visiting a Comprehensive Primary Healthcare clinic in Cape Town after losing a family member to HIV/AIDS.