EFFECTS OF EMPATHY CLUBS ON HEALTH CARE AMONG HIV-AFFECTED GRANDPARENT-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS IN VIETNAM

摘要

In areas of Vietnam with high rates of HIV/AIDS, Empathy Clubs (ECs) have become interventions for grandparents raising grandchildren. ECs offer psychosocial care and knowledge of community resources, such as healthcare events. This mixed methods study aimed to 1) explore the factors influencing health care for grandparents and grandchildren and 2) understand the differences in health care access between grandparents in ECs and those who are not. The research team interviewed 30 grandparents raising grandchildren in urban and rural areas of Hai Phong, Vietnam. Fifteen of the grandparents were involved in ECs and fifteen were not. The grandparents completed the Access to Healthcare Scale and a qualitative interview. The results showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups t (2)=6.53, p=0.04 and indicated that EC membership contributed to free healthcare for grandchildren. 73% of the EC group had free healthcare for their grandchildren compared to 26.6% of the non-EC group. The study found that ECs were most successful in terms of HIV testing for grandchildren. 100% of the grandparents in the EC group had their grandchildren tested, whereas only 40% in the non-EC group had their grandchildren tested. Qualitative findings indicated that both groups of grandparents were not accessing healthcare services to address their significant health needs. The majority of the grandparents experienced barriers such as limited or no health insurance, physical health problems, poverty, and stress. Attributes that improved health among the grandparents included access to community health events, HIV testing, social support through ECs, resilience, and sacrifice.