HIV-Positive Patients' and their Families' Comprehension of HIV- and AIDS-Related Information

Despite acknowledgement of the importance of sharing HIV- and AIDS-related information with people living with HIV; it is still unclear as to what their actual comprehension is of this information. This research was part of a larger project; Tswaragano; conducted in the North-West Province; South Africa; which explored and described the competence; ability and strengths of the family of the HIV-positive patient during home support. This research focused on Potchefstroom in the North-West Province. This article focuses on research with the objective being to explore and describe the comprehension of HIV-positive patients and their families with regard to HIV- and AIDS-related information; and to formulate recommendations to improve their comprehension of this information. A quantitative; explorative and descriptive survey design was followed. Data were collected by means of questionnaires completed by HIV-positive patients (n = 79) and their family members (n = 34). Descriptive statistical analysis by means of frequency analysis was conducted. Ethical considerations and mechanisms to enhance validity and reliability are discussed. The results indicated that both HIV-positive respondents and their families face social and financial challenges due to unemployment and low income. A strength found in this research is that the majority of respondents are linked to a church; which can be a valuable platform to share information on HIV and AIDS. With regards to sharing; sources and comprehension of HIV- and AIDS-related information; it is apparent that respondents perceived that pre- and post-counselling provided an opportunity for information sharing; but that they need health care workers to spend more time with them; to be non-judgemental and to make more use of visual aids. It furthermore seems that the majority of HIV-positive respondents in this study did comprehend the need for and negotiate for safer sexual practices. It was concluded that although HIV-positive patients and their families have relatively good levels of comprehension of HIV- and AIDS-related information; there are certain gaps in their comprehension of this information. Accordingly; recommendations regarding improving comprehension of HIV-related information were formulated. Recommendations for nursing education; research and practice were formulated. These recommendations highlight the importance of openness in communication; building trust relationships; collaboration; cultural sensitivity and empowering HIV-positive patients and their families

Exploring the Perceptions of Psychiatric Patients Regarding Marijuana Use

There is limited understanding on marijuana use by psychiatric patients; specifically with regard as to why they continue to smoke marijuana despite the negative consequences; such as readmittance to psychiatric hospitals following marijuana-induced psychosis. It is; therefore; important to understand why psychiatric patients continue to use marijuana; despite experiencing its negative effects. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of psychiatric patients with regard to marijuana use in Potchefstroom; North West Province; as well as to formulate recommendations for nursing education; nursing research and nursing practice; with the aim of reducing the readmission of psychiatric patients following marijuana-induced psychosis. A qualitative; exploratory; descriptive and contextual research design was followed in order to give 'voice' to the perceptions of psychiatric patients about marijuana use. Purposive sampling was utilised to identify participants who complied with selection criteria. The sample size was determined by data saturation; which was reached after 10 individual interviews with psychiatric patients. Unstructured individual interviews were utilised to gather data after written approval from the Ethics committee of the North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus); North West Provincial Department of Health; the clinical manager of the psychiatric hospital where data were collected; as well as from the psychiatric patients. The co-coder and the researcher analysed the data independently. The findings of this study include perceptions of psychiatric patients on the use of marijuana; the negative effects of marijuana use; marijuana use and mental illness; and quitting marijuana. Recommendations were formulated for nursing education; nursing research as well as for nursing practice