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they wore gloves or masks. In some instances, volunteer caregivers lied to their clients that
they were wearing masks and gloves because they were sick and that they did not want to
infect their clients. They also offered education to family members and the patient on the
importance of wearing protective clothing:
“To those that do not like it, we explain to them that it is not because we are disgusted, but it
is because you also need to be protected my diseases. Others understand after you explain.
We tell them that even doctors and nurses always use gloves. But others do not like it, and
they feel as if you are disgusted they will just look at you disapprovingly so you just touch
them with your bare hands and not protect yourself and say that God will help me through
this challenge and he knows that I am trying to help.” (Focus group 1, organisation A)
One particular participant said that, she felt angry and unappreciated by the patients and
family members who did not want her to use gloves or masks. Therefore on one incident she
could not care or hold her anger or tell lies but she told her patient the truth as to why she
wore the mask:
“… I told her of that it’s because you have messed yourself, so the smell of this shit will affect
me and the patient understood” (Focus group 8, organisation H)
4.6.5 HIV/AIDS related stigma causing more burdens on volunteer caregivers
HIV/AIDS related stigma is still evident and is encountered by most of the volunteer
caregivers in their communities while performing their duties. HIV/AIDS still carries a
stigma. It is still seen as a taboo by some religious groups. Some patients are neglected by
their family members. Some people do not to go for voluntary testing and counselling (VCT).
Some do not know or disclose their status. Some who know their HIV status do not access
treatment and shun help from volunteer caregivers. In such circumstances volunteer
caregivers may have less access to their clients. They cannot practice infection control. As
result the health of the clients deteriorates. This can cause more infections and also cause
death:
“People in this area take T.B and HIV/AIDS as a shame. Some families don’t want to help
the patients. They locked them up inside their houses. Families do not want them to come out
and talk or be seen by people. They don’t care whether the person has eaten or not. They just
want the person to die quickly. And if the patients wet or soil themselves, they are beaten and
some are denied food so you will find him or her in that same condition the next day. You will
find that now they have developed sores because they have been doing everything on
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