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 (PLWHA), especially in low resource countries. The aim of the study was to understand why people with HIV attend psychosocial support groups.

Methods: This was a descriptive, qualitative study design using focus group discussions. Support group members volunteered to participate in the study. Five focus groups were conducted.

Results: Participants attended because they were referred by a health care worker, wanted information, wanted emotional support, accompanied an ill relative or because they knew about the support group. Perceived benefits included psychological support, accepting HIV status, reducing stigma and isolation, increasing hope, new friendships, being able to help others, gaining 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 them. Leaders were concerned about conflict, burn out and impractical protocols. Access to disability grants was also a concern.

Conclusion: Support groups can assist its 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 should be offered for the support group containing up to date information about ART. Social workers should be involved to facilitate access to appropriate social grants. Support group leaders should receive appropriate training and regular debriefing.