A case study of the flying angels HIV support group for people living with HIV and aids in Ng’ombe compound, Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

HIV support groups have been widely adopted as part of care and support interventions in Zambia, yet there is very little research on the effectiveness of these groups in meeting the needs of the PLWHIV from the perspective of those who join them. This case study looks at a selected support group for People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHIV) facilitated by the Flying Angels, a faith based non-governmental organization established in 2007 by the Living Assemblies of God Church, in Ng‟ombe Township, Lusaka. The Support Group brings together around eighty young and old, married and single, men and women living with HIV and AIDS, to share experiences and find ways of coping with their situation. The qualitative case study sought to obtain a rich understanding of the experiences of members with a view to understanding the support they needed, the aspects of the support group that are relevant and effective to their situation, and which are not. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions methods were used to collect data. Discussion and interviews were audio-taped. Audio-recordings were translated during transcription, data organized, coded and thematically analysed.