HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, practices and perceptions of rural nurses in South Africa

Abstract

There is a need for accelerated HIV/AIDS training of rural nurses and for wider implementation of universal precautions and postexposure prophylaxis availability in public health facilities in southern Africa.

Impact of caring for people living with HIV on the psychosocial well-being of palliative caregivers

“…The results of the current study indicated that witnessing suffering and dying influenced the emotional toll of caring and had a negative effect on the caregiver's wellbeing. These findings support the research of Delobelle et al (2009), Miller et al (2007, Mullins (2009) andVan Dyk (2007), who found that caregivers experienced feelings of distress, felt overworked, demoralised and emotionally distressed due to witnessing patients with an incurable disease deteriorate over a long period.…”

“…These can impact negatively on the healthcare worker's psychosocial wellbeing if not resolved in a satisfactory manner (Delobelle et al 2009;Mullins 2009;Van Dyk 2007). Some of the organisational challenges contributing to occupational stress or workplace-related stress include lack of space and privacy, insufficient organisational support and acknowledgement, heavy workload, inadequate training, insufficient funding, insufficient safety measures, and lack of medical supplies (Miller et al 2007;Mullins 2009;Ogińska-Bulik 2006).…”

“…In the AIDS field, however, healthcare workers are faced with distinctive demands (for example, dealing with the social, mental, spiritual and physical problems experienced by people living with HIV infection) that may make them more prone to experience decreased psychosocial well-being and an increase in distress, feelings of not coping and burnout compared to workers in other areas (Davids et al 2009). Several stressors inherent in AIDS care have been identified, such as frustration due to the overwhelming nature of the disease, bereavement overload, fear of social stigma and isolation, different types of patient-caregiver relationships, over-identification with patients, fear of contagion, and lack of social support (Delobelle et al 2009;Miller et al 2007;Mullins 2009;Van Dyk 2007).…”

“…This new meaning could be due to the multifaceted nature of the disease (which involves medical care, physical care, psychological, social and spiritual aspects) as well as the comprehensive and holistic type of care that is needed for people living with HIV (Delobelle et al 2009). AIDS care presents a significant burden for those caring for people infected with and/or affected by HIV, and coping with the disease that has fallen onto caregivers.…”

“…Employees increasingly experience excessive stress at work, especially in the healthcare profession, and more so in developing countries and where resources are not readily available (Delobelle et al 2009). Occupational stress is a common problem in everyday life and is a consequence of combined exposure to a multitude of factors in the work environment and employment conditions (Miller et al 2007).…”