HARDINESS EDUCATION NEEDS AFTER AIDS PARENTAL LOSS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Inseparability of human life and stress calls for increasing need for practical coping strategies to ease life’s unforeseen contingencies. Loss due to AIDS carries unique ramifications that complicates coping and thus challenge historical models of bereavement. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to ninety percent of AIDS orphans and Nigeria contributes almost 2.5 million of these orphans. Providing care and support for them constitute continuing challenge to healthcare delivery system. The study recruited six unsupported AIDS orphaned youths between the ages of 18-24 years purposively and collected data through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using Coliazzi seven steps of analysis to derive themes. Main themes relating to hardiness were presented and discussed in relation to the hardiness theoretical framework. The findings of the study reveals that opportunity for hardiness education exists in the participants and this should be taken advantage of by health professionals and educators alike.

Keywords: Hardiness; AIDS orphanhood; Nigeria; Coping

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