Abstract #148  -  Community home-based carers: Voicing their needs, voicing their challenges!
Authors:   Presenting Author:   Miss Alicia Davids - Human Sciences Research Council
Additional Authors:  Prof Geoffrey  Setswe, Ms Nokhona Lewa, Ms Mmapaseka Mogale, Mr  Yogandra Naidoo, Ms Janine Clayton,
Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the psycho-social needs and challenges of community home-based carers providing health care to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and orphan and vulnerable children (OVC).
Method / Issue: Eleven focus group discussions, consisting of approximately 132 participants, were conducted across 8 provinces in South Africa at South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) sites. Focus group discussions were transcribed translated and analysed using thematic analysis. Ethical consent was obtained from all participants who took part in the study and as well as being assured of confidentiality and anonymity.
Results / Comments: Not all SARCS sites provided regular debriefing sessions and that in most cases the sessions were conducted by the supervisors which was said to hamper the debriefing process. Community home-based carers were being are exposed to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, including multidrug resistant TB (MDR) and extreme drug resistant TB (XDR), HIV/AIDS, meningitis, cholera and other hemorrhagic diseases and that not all SARCS sites were adequately equipped to deal with this serious issue. Other challenges experienced were issues relating to stipends, transport, materials resources and further training.
Discussion: Recommendations such as providing structured and consistent training and re-fresher courses; standardized stipends for all CHBC; providing transport to CHBC who stay far distances from their clients; and offering psychosocial support through professional counsellors who do not work in the same organization were made.
Go Back