The socio-economic impact of HIV/AIDS on infected individuals in the Capricorn District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Previous research about people living with HIV and AIDS has highlighted social support as an important determinant of health outcomes. The purpose of the study was to determine Tthe socio-economic impact of HIV and AIDS on infected individuals in the Capricorn District; Limpopo Province; South Africa. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with a schedule guide were conducted until saturation of data was reached. Trustworthiness was ensured by using Lincoln and Guba's model criteria. Ethical standards for nurse researchers were adhered to. Ethical standards were adhered to; while Tesch's open coding qualitative data analysis method was used. Five themes emerged during data analysis. The findings revealed that there are different sources of income of HIV-positive people; living conditions of HIV-positive people which are not acceptable; consequences related to HIV and AIDS disease progression; the support and care to HIV-positive people and disclosure versus non-disclosure of HIV-positive status. Study recommendations emphasise the fact that there is a need for HIV and AIDS patients to receive continuous support from family; friends; and the community with the purpose of enabling them to cope emotionally; socially; and economically

Experiences of lay counsellors who provide VCT for PMTCT of HIV and AIDS in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province.

Human immune deficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) still carry a stigma in the community. Many people do not know their status and they are still reluctant to be tested including pregnant women despite the fact that Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) is offered for free in South Africa. In South Africa VCT for HIV and AIDS is offered by lay counsellors in public hospitals and clinics. The study conducted by Mate, Bennet, Mphatswe, Barker and Rollins (2009:5483) outlined that in South Africa the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV guidelines have raised hope that the national goal of reducing perinatal HIV transmission rates to less than 5% can be attained. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study was conducted in 15 public clinics of the Polokwane Municipality in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province. The purpose of the study was to determine the experiences of the lay counsellors who provide VCT for the PMTCT of HIV and AIDS in the Capricorn District, Limpopo Province. Data were collected through one-to-one interviews using a semi-structured guide (De Vos et al, 2006:296). The findings of the study reflected the following: the content of training and counselling skills received by lay counsellors were satisfactory, there was lack of counsellor support and in-service education. A program for in-service education and support for all lay counsellors who have had VCT training should be conceptualised and implemented.

Experiences of Lay Counsellors who Provide VCT for PMTCT of HIV and AIDS in the Capricorn District; Limpopo Province

Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) still carry a stigma in the community. Many people do not know their status and they are still reluctant to be tested including pregnant women despite the fact that Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) is offered for free in South Africa. In South Africa VCT for HIV and AIDS is offered by lay counsellors in public hospitals and clinics. The study conducted by Mate; Bennet; Mphatswe; Barker and Rollins (2009:5483) outlined that in South Africa the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV guidelines have raised hope that the national goal of reducing perinatal HIV transmission rates to less than 5can be attained. A qualitative; exploratory; descriptive and contextual study was conducted in 15 public clinics of the Polokwane Municipality in the Capricorn District; Limpopo Province. The purpose of the study was to determine the experiences of the lay counsellors who provide VCT for the PMTCT of HIV and AIDS in the Capricorn District; Limpopo Province. Data were collected through one-to-one interviews using a semi-structured guide (De Vos et al; 2006:296). The findings of the study reflected the following: the content of training and counselling skills received by lay counsellors were satisfactory; there was lack of counsellor support and in-service education. A program for in-service education and support for all lay counsellors who have had VCT training should be conceptualised and implemented

Factors at first diagnosis of tuberculosis associated with compliance with the Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) in the Limpopo Province, South Africa.

The aim of this study is to compare and contrast health beliefs, demographic and socio-economic variables, causative beliefs, knowledge, health-seeking behaviour and health provider-patient interaction of compliant and non-compliant tuberculosis patients. The sample included 219 consecutive new sputum-smear and/or culture positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients registered between October 1999 and March 2000 in three hospitals in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The patients were 144 (65.8%) men and 75 (34.2%) women in the age range of 18 to 79 years (M age 35.9 yr., SD = 12.6). The consultation at first diagnosis was observed and tape-recorded. Thereafter an interview was conducted and a questionnaire was face-to-face administered with the patient including knowledge, causative beliefs, health seeking, and Health Belief Model items. Discriminant analysis between compliant and non-compliant groups after six months follow-up showed that the quality of the health practitioner-patient interaction and causative belief were associated with compliance behaviour whereas knowledge, onset of TB, sociodemographic variables, health care seeking, and health beliefs were not associated.