The impact of HIV/AIDS on low income earners and their propensity to save : a case study of HIV-positive persons in Chiawelo, Soweto township, Gauteng

Date
2010-03
Authors
Joseph, Kakinda
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The highest number of HIV and AIDS cases is recorded in Southern Africa and more specifically in the republic of South Africa. Likewise the highest levels of poverty are recorded in South Africa among the majority of historically disadvantaged black people. These people have a poor culture of saving and in the face of a new epidemic of HIV and AIDS, the situation is becoming worse. This research report assessed the impact of HIV and AIDS on low-income earners and their propensity to save by analysing the incomes of a sample of 120 men and women between 18 and 55 years of age, who were HIV-positive and earned not more than R 3000 per month. This was a retrospective descriptive review of the routinely collected clinical records of the clients falling in the category mentioned above, who were receiving antiretroviral drugs over a period of 4 years. In-depth interviews were conducted on respondents to determine what their savings were before contracting the disease and during the period they were sick. This method was conducive because of the sensitivity of the subject matter. Having analysed the data collected, the impact of HIV and AIDS on the saving capacity of low income earners was assessed. Results indicated that low income earners’ propensity to save is affected because they have to spend much of their income on medication, transport costs to clinics and hospitals for regular check-ups and possible admissions. HIV-positive low income earners consequently suffer AIDS related financial hardships as they are left with very little or none at all to save.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoogtste MIV en Vigs gevalle is in Suidelike-Afrika en meer spesifiek in die Republiek van Suid-Afrika. Eweneens kom die hoogste vlakke van armoede in Suid- Afrika onder die histories minder bevoorregte swart bevolking voor. Hierdie mense het 'n swak kultuur van geld spaar en weens die epidemie van MIV en Vigs, vererger hierdie situasie. Hierdie navorsingsverslag het die impak bereken van MIV en Vigs op persone met lae inkomste en hul geneigdheid om te spaar deur die inkomstes van 'n steekproef van 120 mans en vroue tussen die ouderdom van 18 en 55 jaar, wie MIV-positief is en wie nie meer as R 3000 per maand verdien nie. Dit was 'n retrospektiewe beskrywing van kliniese optekenings van bogenoemde kliënte wat volgens roetine versamel is, en wie antiretrovirale medisyne oor 'n periode van 4 jaar ontvang het. Diepte onderhoude is met respondente gevoer om vas te stel wat hul spaarpeil was voor hulle die siekte opgedoen het en gedurende die periode wat hulle siek was. Hierdie metode is bevorderlik weens die sensitiwiteit van die kwessie. Na analise van die data, is die impak van MIV en Vigs op spaar-kapasitiet van persone wat min verdien beraam. Resultate wys dat die neiging tot spaar van persone wat min verdien geaffekteer is omdat hulle so veel van hul inkomste moet spandeer op medikasie, transport na klinieke en hospitale vir gereelde ondersoeke en moontlike toelatings. MIV-positiewe persone met lae inkomstes ervaar dus Vigs-verwante finansiële swaarkry weens die feit dat hulle so min geld, of geen geld, oor het om te spaar.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Industrial Psychology. Africa Centre for HIV/AIDS Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
Keywords
Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Assignments -- Industrial psychology, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Assignments -- HIV/AIDS management, HIV/AIDS -- South Africa -- Soweto, Low income earners -- South Africa -- Soweto, Saving -- South Africa -- Soweto
Citation