HIV & AIDS
HIV/AIDS and older adults in Cameroon: Emerging issues and implications for caregiving and policymaking
The burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) on the elderly
population in three divisions within the Northwest Region of Cameroon was examined. Data for this paper were extracted from a
larger study which had been conducted concerning the burden of HIV infection and AIDS on the older adults in the Northwest
Region of Cameroon. Using in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs), data were collected from 36
participants who were purposively selected from the three divisions which had been chosen randomly. 6 FGD sessions were
held with 30 women aged 60 years and above and who were affected by HIV infection and AIDS, while IDIs sessions were held
with 6 male community leaders. The results revealed that HIV infection and AIDS has added another dimension to the role of
older persons. HIV infection and AIDS affects older people in diverse ways, as they have to look after themselves, their sick
children and are often also left to look after their grandchildren orphaned by HIV infection and AIDS. These emerging issues in
their lives make them vulnerable to health, social, economic and psychological challenges, and place a burden on them as
caregivers instead of being cared for in their old age. Apart from increased direct expenditures, taking care of victims of HIV
infection and AIDS requires older people to stay away from social, religious and community activities. The results showed that
the loss of a child to HIV infection and AIDS affects the economic/financial well-being, participation in social/religious
interactions as well as the community activities of older people participants. The implications of these findings for caregiving
and social policy are discussed.
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