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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Occupational stress experienced by caregivers working in the HIV/AIDS field in South Africa
Author:Van Dyk, Alta C.ISNI
Year:2007
Periodical:African Journal of AIDS Research
Volume:6
Issue:1
Pages:49-66
Language:English
Geographic term:South Africa
Subjects:occupational health
health personnel
AIDS
mental health
External link:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2989/16085900709490399
Abstract:Occupational stress and burnout merit concern in South Africa as the severity and intensity of the HIV epidemic is often perceived as overwhelming. This study explores and describes the experiences, feelings and perceptions of South African caregivers working in various capacities (healthcare, counselling and teaching) in the HIV/AIDS field. A questionnaire investigating stress factors involved in HIV/AIDS-related care, symptoms of occupational stress, and employer support was completed by 243 caregivers. The results specify in what sense these caregivers find their work extremely stressful. Commonly, they battle with bereavement overload, overidentify with their patients, fear occupational exposure to HIV, and find it difficult to cope with their own and patients' stigmatization and confidentiality issues. The caregivers generally believe that they have not been adequately trained to offer HIV-related counselling; they feel largely unsupported by their employers, family and friends; and they are frequently angry about slow government processes and misleading health messages. Caregivers working in different capacities find HIV-care-related factors equally stressful, while school teachers claim significantly more symptoms of occupational stress than counsellors and healthcare workers. The results clearly indicate that these categories of caregivers work in extremely difficult circumstances and require support from their employers to prevent burnout. Suggestions on how to assist such caregivers in their work environment are made, and support strategies are discussed. Bibliogr., sum. [Journal abstract, edited]
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