Succession planning for orphans and vulnerable children in the context of HIV/AIDS-related cancers in Uganda

Abstract

Introduction The thesis focused on succession planning for orphans and vulnerable children in the context of HIV-related cancers in Uganda. Objectives The study was guided by four specific objectives: to explore meanings and experiences of succession planning in families of people with HIV-related cancer; to establish the knowledge and attitudes of people living with HIV-related cancer towards succession planning; to explore the strategies undertaken by HIV-related cancer patients to engage in succession planning; and to identify the factors that influence succession planning for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) among people living with cancer. Methods The study was conducted at Hospice Hospital Kampala, Uganda. This was a qualitative study conducted using in-depth interviews with cancer patients, focus group discussions with community leaders and key informants’ interviews with doctors, social workers and nurses. The total number of study participants were 72. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data. Results The research found that there is a changing face of the family among terminally ill patients. In addition, the research found that succession planning is mostly practiced among the rich who have property to pass on to their children and also among those who have established good relationships with the relatives. Conclusion The conclusion of study was that for succession planning concerns to be effective, efforts should be made to strengthen the family and community systems. This is because family and community have the potential to cope with the care of terminally ill patients and OVC despite the challenges faced. Recommendation The study recommended that sensitisation and awareness campaigns should be more strongly emphasised to create awareness of these programmes among people in different communities. Policies and programmes aimed at supporting terminally ill patients to care for their children should provide a comprehensive package of services taking into consideration the levels of vulnerability of terminally ill patients and their families.