The purpose of this paper is to explore attitudes towards euthanasia among Ugandan adults.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore attitudes towards euthanasia among Ugandan adults.
Design/methodology/approach
This is an important study because data were recently collected in 2010. The sample consists of 80 participants above age 18 who responded to an interview schedule exploring attitudes towards euthanasia. A qualitative approach was utilized to analyze the findings.
Findings
Unique to this study is the fact that almost all participants (96 percent) perceived euthanasia as murder. Religious beliefs, hope for recovery, potential for new medical technologies, health care costs, quality of life, and the right to die are some of the themes that influenced attitudes towards euthanasia. Religious and cultural beliefs appear to be the major influential factors for euthanasia attitudes in this study.
Originality/value
Generated information may assist in formulating end of life policies as well as addressing related ethical issues in low income nations. Currently, information on attitudes towards euthanasia in sub‐Sahara African countries is scarce in the literature. The paper's findings may increase knowledge in this area.
Details
Keywords
Ami Moore, Dorothy N. Kalanzi and Foster K. Amey
The purpose of this paper is to examine the patterns of self‐disclosure of HIV/AIDS infection and reasons respondents did not disclose their serostatus to their children.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the patterns of self‐disclosure of HIV/AIDS infection and reasons respondents did not disclose their serostatus to their children.
Design/methodology/approach
Convenience sample of 151 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Lomé, Togo, was used. Semi‐structured interviews were administered.
Findings
Unlike studies conducted in the USA, it was found that although all of the respondents had disclosed their status to HIV/AIDS service providers from whom they received help and support, they had low rates of disclosure to their significant others. For instance, only 12 per cent of the participants had disclosed to their mothers and 16 per cent had disclosed to their children. Additionally, reasons given by respondents for non‐disclosure of their infected status to their children were varied. Regardless of the age of the children, half of the parents believed that the children were either too young or were minors and should not know about their HIV infected status.
Research limitations/implications
Implications for helping people with HIV/AIDS, their service providers, and policy makers are discussed.
Originality/value
The study shows that HIV/AIDS service providers need to understand the family dynamics of PLWHA in Africa in order to appropriately help them to disclose.