AIDS and changing traditional care practices in Dar es Salaam.

The aim of the study was to investigate possible change which have taken place in traditional mode of care giving at family level as the result of a challenge presented by the persistent nature of illnesses resulting from HIV infection. It was also envisaged to establish whether there were differences in care-provided to different gender and if care was affected by the stigma attached to positive HIV status. Chapter one introduces the nature of HIV infections, reviews the literature which deals with care provision in other or similar societies and identifies the methodology used in the study which was mainly observation accompanied by some informal questions. Chapter two, gives a short description of the AIDS situation in Tanzania and Dar es Salaam in particular, which was the study area. This description was aimed at giving background to care provision for those who are already sick. Chapter three presents the findings. In this study it was found that there are significant changes which have taken place in the traditional mode of caring for the sick as a result of HIV infections. These changes include reduction in the number of care providers at family level, the normal primary care providers. HIV infection was also found to be associated with various emotional reactions which caused serious exhaustion to primary care providers. Lastly, HIV infection and its persistent nature affects the economy of the household in a significant way, diminishing the family's ability failed to meet the costs of care, nutritious food and even housing. Chapter four presents the summary, conclusion and recommendations on how to help in strengthening family support systems which are still crucial particularly to societies whose government health budget cannot meet the health needs of the public, as is the case in Tanzania.