Study Aim and Objectives:
The aim of the study was to explore what it means to have HIV/AIDS in
Gaborone, Botswana. The study describes the demographic and socioeconomic
circumstances of the participants. It also elicits and explores
the experiences of people living with HIV/AIDS in Gaborone, Botswana.
Methods
Interviewees were purposely selected from a hospice, an NGO and a
church that ministers to PLWHA. In depth interviews were conducted and
recorded by audiotape. The interviews were conducted in Setswana and
the interviewees responded to a statement, which essentially was, “Tell
me about your life since you knew you had HIV/AIDS”. The audio
recordings were transcribed into English. Care was taken to carry the
Setswana way of speaking directly into English. A thematic analysis of
the transcripts was made. A modified cut and paste method was used to
gather the information into its various themes.
Results

There were 15 interviewees. Their average age was 35.3 years and on
average, they had 1.6 children each. They were unemployed.
The interviewees described a wide range of experiences, which were not
necessarily experienced by all.
Their narratives described the physical symptoms they suffered. They
described stigma and discrimination that they went through. They gave
accounts of psychological and emotional turmoil. Psychiatric problems
were cited. They were very concerned that they could no longer support
their children. They also worried about what would happen to their
children when they died.
As their disease progressed, they lost their jobs and were reduced to
poverty. They could no longer support themselves and their dependents.
They depended on relatives, friends, NGOs and government for relief.
Relief from friends and relatives was often not available. They suffered
hunger, as they could not satisfy their increased appetites after they
started ARV drug therapy.
Their relationships were disrupted when they got ill. Spouses and friends
left and some relatives and friends stigmatised them.
Interviewees were taken care of by relatives, friends, health
professionals, NGOs, and social workers. In all these categories, there
were good and bad care givers except the hospice and church, which
were reported as good caregivers. Caregiver fatigue was described.
7
Some interviewees found comfort in God. They believed that He knows
what they are going through and will take care of them. The interviewees
also found comfort and healing from the companionship of other PLWHA.
The interviewees wanted to find jobs and work so that they could support
themselves and their dependents. They wished government would train
them and find them jobs.
Conclusion
The study confirmed the psycho-emotional problems and concern for
children felt by PLWHA, that the literature revealed. It showed the
physical problems they also suffer. The study revealed that interviewees
lost jobs and became destitute. They could not satisfy their increased
appetites after they started ARV drug therapy. Interviewees’ relationships
were disrupted when they got ill. Spouses and friends left and some
relatives did not treat them well. There were good and bad care givers in
different categories. The African custom of botho/ubuntu seems to be
succumbing to the onslaught of HIV/AIDS.
The study showed that interviewees found comfort and support from
family, friends, NGO’s and the church. They found God and other PLWHA
especially valuable support systems.
It was encouraging to notice that some interviewees felt that with time,
stigmatisation of PLWHA is gradually subsiding.