Understanding Participation in a Hospital-Based HIV Support Group in Limpopo Province; South Africa

ABSTRACT

Background: Support groups are an appropriate way of delivering psychosocial support to people living with HIV/AIDS; especially in low-resource countries. The aim of the study was to understand why people with HIV attended psychosocial support groups. Methods: This was a qualitative study design using focus-group discussions in which support-group members volunteered to participate. Five focus groups were involved in the study. Results: The participants attended because they were referred by a health-care worker; wanted information; wanted emotional support; accompanied an ill relative or knew about the support group. Perceived benefits included receiving psychological support; accepting one's HIV status; reducing stigma and isolation; increasing hope; forging new friendships; helping others; obtaining HIV-related information; developing strategies to change behaviour; gaining access to medical care at the adjoining HIV clinic and receiving food donations. Negative aspects of attending the support group included the large size of the support group; long queues at the HIV clinic; concerns about confidentiality and negative staff attitudes towards the participants. Leaders were concerned about conflict; burn-out and impractical protocols. Access to disability grants was also a concern. Conclusions: Support groups can assist members to cope with the various challenges associated with living with HIV/ AIDS through offering structured emotional; informational; instrumental and material support. Support group sizes should be limited. A structured curriculum containing up-to-date information about ART should also be offered to support groups. Social workers should furthermore be involved to facilitate access to appropriate social grants. Finally; support group leaders should receive appropriate training and regular debriefing