The genesis and progression of the HIV/AIDS programme in KwaZulu-Natal : implications for learning and intensified action
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Date
2005
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Abstract
This study explored the origin and progression of the HIV/AIDS programme in KwaZulu-Natal from inception to December 2003. Its objectives were to trace the origin of the HIV/AIDS programme in KwaZulu-Natal, identify the HIV/AIDS activities and the organizations that implemented them, identify the support system for the programme, highlight the challenges that have been faced and the lessons learnt during the implementation of the programme and lastly, determine the extent to which the participation of NGO/CBOs in the HIV/AIDS programme grew over the years.
A qualitative research design with a focus on the historical method was used. The identified sources of data were primarily the written records (archival and current) and to a narrow extent, human subjects from a population of HIV/AIDS managers. Purposive sampling strategy was applied in the selection of key informants and the services that would be visited for data collection. A questionnaire and a checklist were used as instruments for data collection.
The study revealed that the HIV/AIDS programme in KwaZulu-Natal originated in 1985 when the then Natal Blood Transfusion Service started testing the donated blood
for HIV; HIV/AIDS activities fell under the broad categories of "Prevention" and "Care"; the support system for the HIV/AIDS programme comprised human resource, human resource development, research, policies, plan, committees/ forums/ groups/ councils, political backing and/or support by high profile individuals as well as partnerships; the challenges of the pre-1994 General Democratic Elections (GDE) period were centred around the legal and ethical aspects of HIV/AIDS, followed by political violence, while those of the post-1994 GDE period were predominantly logistical followed by an increase in the number of people who need care; the lessons learnt by the service providers were more on the legal and ethical aspects of HIV/AIDS and the participation of NGO/CBOs in the HIV/AIDS programme grew over the years with 2000 - 2002 as the peak period. In addition, data on HIV/AIDS programme activities obtained from the records indicated that two HIV/AIDS epidemic campaigns have been held in KwaZulu-Natal (Pre-1994 and Post-1994), each with its own combatants and most combatants of the first campaign having disappeared.
The following recommendations were made based on the findings of the study and literature review:
That the Provincial AIDS Action Unit identifies and invites the combatants of the pre-1994 HIV/AIDS campaign who are not currently in the HIV/AIDS programme to come on board and share ideas with those who are still battling to attain victory over HIV/AIDS;
That the Provincial AIDS Action Unit facilitates the provision of more trained Care Givers to address an increase in the number of people who need care and concomitant shortage of staff;
That the Provincial AIDS Action Unit (PAAU) fully adopts and intensifies an HIV/AIDS control strategy whereby males as dominant partners in sexual relationships are encouraged to take a lead in the fight against HIV/AIDS; That the Provincial AIDS Action Unit and the Department of Health steps up the funding of the NGO/CBO/FBOs committed to implementing HIV/AIDS activities, provide training in basic project management, consistently mentor the funded organizations and ensure that all the funded projects are appropriately monitored and evaluated;
That the PAAU liaises with the Environmental Health Service to ensure that the project of "high transmission areas" include safety practices at barber shops, ear-piercing as well as tattooing shops;
That the HIV/AIDS trainers stress the need for family members to be around their loved one when he/she faces death so as to facilitate a "good death"; if this is impossible, Health Workers (HWs) endeavour to intensify the filling of this gap;
That the Department of Health (DOB) and PAAU consider the payment of stipends to all unemployed volunteers in the HIV/AIDS programme, ensuring equity in the amounts of stipends received.
That the PAAU ensures regular communication with blood transfusion services with a view to getting an update on the statistics and blood safety practices.
That all Health Workers administering injections, intravenous therapy etc. assure patients of safety from contracting HIV in the process by showing the sealed sterile materials to a relevant patient/client or relative prior to using them.
That the PAAU identifies and invites the Pre-1994 HIV/AIDS warriors to come on board and share ideas with those who are still battling to attain victory over HIV/AIDS.
That the government, committed organizations and individuals intensify socio-economic development initiatives with a view to addressing poverty as one of the challenges identified by the HIV/AIDS role players.
That the PAAU facilitates the undertaking of research on the HIV/AIDS discriminatory practices in the public, private and business sector.
Description
Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Nursing Science at the University of Zululand, 2005.
Keywords
AIDS (Disease)--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal--Prevention, HIV infections--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal--Prevention, AIDS (Disease)--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal--Information services, HIV infections--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal--Information services