Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Abstract

The human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a major health concern in South Africa, with approximately 5.5 million people thought to be living with the virus. Children living with HIV are among the most vulnerable members of society, approximately 800 HIV-positive children die each day because of lack of access to comprehensive treatment, care and support. Of this number, 30% are under the age of one, with statistics verifying that access to treatment is lower for infants than older children. Although South Africa has been working to create programmes which will facilitate the distribution of antiretroviral therapy, there remains a dearth of people accessing antiretroviral therapy, especially children. There is an increase in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the paediatric population in South Africa, particularly those using public sector health services, with a corresponding increase in morbidity and mortality rates.The purpose of the research study was to develop a nursing model that would assist healthcare professionals, in particular professional nurses, to optimise the comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIVpositive children who require antiretroviral therapy at PHC clinics. A theory-generating design based on a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual approach was implemented to gain an understanding of how the healthcare professionals and parents/ caregivers of HIV-positive children experienced the comprehensive treatment, care and support provided at primary healthcare clinics. The information obtained was used to develop a chronic care coordination model for the optimisation of comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy.

Biography

M Williams completed her basic nursing diploma in General nursing and midwifery and worked in various sectors of nursing whilst studying part time towards her first post graduate degree in Nursing Education and Community Health Nursing (public health) in 1989. Thereafter, she taught at a nursing college before moving to the burgeoning HIV/AIDS field where she worked directly with patients with HIV disease, and simultaniously studied towards a Masters in Nursing (Advanced primary health care) acheived in 2006. She worked in district managment as an HIV/AIDS specialist, thereafter to a lecturers post at NMMU. PHD in nursing - 2013.

Email: maggie.williams@nmmu.ac.za