**7. Study design and participants**

The study utilized a cross-sectional descriptive research design with a convenient sampling technique. Two hundred and ninety nine (299) participants were selected for the study; however 260 completely filled their questionnaires and were aware of care recipient HIV status. Family caregivers were recruited through HIV clinic of the UCTH and Positive Development Foundation (NGO) visitation list of voluntary caregiver of PLWHA. Information letter and invitation were posted at UCTH HIV clinic and the Positive Development Foundation office where interested and willing participants were contacted by the researcher. This study is part of the research project previously published [10]. Therefore participants who met the inclusion criteria were individuals: who have been a primary caregiver for more than 1 month, have awareness of the care recipient status or have provided care for PLWHA patient with some functional abilities as a family member. Family caregivers age cuts across all age brackets, and often include children under the age of 16 [61]. The role of primary caregiver as associated with this study involved participants who provided unpaid physical support such as helping in activities of daily living, food preparation, shopping, managing scheduled medication, managing finances, overseeing medical appointment and emotional support to PLWHA. Questionnaires were coded and contact information was not included to ensure confidentiality. Ethical consent for the study was obtained from Health Research Ethics Committee of UCTH Calabar. Consent was also obtained from the Managing Director of Positive Development Foundation who helped to identify PLWHA caregivers. Informed consent was also obtained from study participants after full explanation of the aims and objectives of study. Participants were appreciated for their time.
