Comparison of self-care behavior between HIV/AIDS infected and non-infected mothers

Abstract

The objective of the qualitative research was to study the comparison of self-care behavior between HIV/AIDS inspected and non-infected mothers. The study was conducted by interviewing data of the 6 aspects of self-care behavior under Orem's self-care framework. The research's case study includes the eight HIV/AIDS- infected postpartum mothers versus the HIV/AIDS- non infected mothers who received the postpartum services during March- April 2011 at Roi-Et Hospital. The research results found that the self-care behavior of aspect 1, All informants attempted to take care themselves properly by having complete five nutrients, abstaining from fermented food, tea, coffee, fat food, soda and sweet food which would make them fat, additionally, fermented fish which could cause itchy at the wound from Caesarean section was not allowed as well. In aspect 2 The findings showed that all informants didn't have any constipation and urination problems. One of the HIV-infected informants excreted 1-3 times a day; the feces turned black during the AZT (Azidothymidine) - antiviral medication. Aspect 3, activity and rest, both groups were not different. Aspect 4 Solitude and Social interaction showed that most of the infected informants were from nuclear families rather than extended families. Due to their belief that being an HIVIAIDSinfected patient was considered as their own and family's stigma, they wanted to conceal the truth about their infection. they participated in community's activities; they did such folding paper birds, doing some pieces of work for festivals and participating in their community development trainings and helping their community development in cleaning. Aspect 5 prevention of hazard, the HIV/AlDS-infected informants fed their babies with the formula milk, the noninfected informants did breastfeed their babies with breast milk even some could not continue breastfeed until six months. Aspect 6, promotion of normality, both groups were satisfied with their lives but some anxieties were found among the HIV/AIDS-infected group. Both groups were normal after follow up. The difference between those two groups were aspect 1,2,4,5,6.