The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Thai caregivers of Persons Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (PLWAs) who were residing at Phra Baat Nam Phu Temple, Lopburi Province, Thailand at the time of the interviews. A semi-structured, face-to-face interview was conducted with 10 Thai caregivers of PLWAs. There were seven female and three male caregivers (ages ranged from 29-62 years). All study participants were family members of PLWAs who required care in home settings. Caregivers were spouses, parents, sisters, a brother, and an aunt. The interviews occurred in the caregivers' homes (n = 8) and at the temple (n = 2). Six themes and 15 categories under these themes emerged from the interviews: 1) caregiving is embedded in the Buddhist philosophy, 2) caregiving is suffering, 3) caregiving is supporting, 4) the caregiving role, 5) the impact of caregiving on the caregivers, and 6) the need to support the caregiving role.
Caregiving is embedded in the Buddhist philosophy, which suggests that suffering and loving one's family and friends is one of its basic guiding principles. Caregivers identified both negative and positive consequences of taking care of their loved ones with HIV/AIDS. The negative impacts included physical, emotional, and financial stress. Moreover, caregiving affected the caregivers' health and demanded changes in their life-styles. This research also demonstrated that HIV/AIDS related stigma is a barrier to caregivers' efforts to seek support. However, caregivers utilized various coping strategies such as accepting the situation, thinking positively, minimizing stress, and managing the financial to cope with caregiving.
The positive consequences of caregiving suggest that caring for PLWAs can result in a deeper meaning of life for the caregivers. They reported an abiding sense of fulfillment that was associated with loving humankind, self-value, and knowledge gained through their experiences.
Finally, caregivers need support and understanding from their families, the health care providers, and the Thai government. The results of this study have substantive implications for the understanding of the impact of caregiving upon family members providing assistance to PLWAs.