Women living with HIV in Nigeria: Predictive influence of hardiness on perceived stress.

Background: Women living with HIV experience severe HIV-related stress in sub-Saharan Africa. But evidence shows that individuals with high levels of the psychological hardiness characteristic who accept stressful situations as meaningful experience may withstand psychological stress. However, the literature on associations between hardiness and HIV-related stress among women living with HIV is scarce. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between hardiness and HIV-related stress among women living with HIV in Niger State, Nigeria.Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design. A systematic sampling technique was used to recruit 748 participants from three selected hospitals in Niger State. The perceived stress scale and the health-related hardiness scale were used for data collection. A total of 676 questionnaires were returned in usable form and were analysed using hierarchical regression analysis.Results: Pearson's correlation analysis showed that there is a statistically significant association between perceived stress and subscales of hardiness (p < 0.001). Hierarchical regression analysis results showed that hardiness significantly predicted perceived stress among the study sample with R2 = 0.286, F(3, 669) = 90, p < 0.001. Conclusion: The finding of this study that higher hardiness is associated with lower perceived stress suggests the potential helpfulness to women living with HIV of this personality for coping. The finding also suggests that nurses and other health care workers may facilitate the development and/or improvement of hardiness characteristics through cognitive behavioural interventions among women living with HIV to ameliorate HIV-related stress.

Relationships between anti-retroviral adherence, self-efficacy, and resilience among women living with HIV in Niger State, Nigeria.

The objectives of the study were to describe the level of self-efficacy and its relationship with resilience among women living with HIV in Niger State, Nigeria. Self-efficacy is an important predictor of treatment outcomes among people living with HIV. Using a systematic random sampling technique, 676 participants completed adherence self-efficacy and resilience measures from three selected hospitals in Niger State. The result showed high levels of self-efficacy among the participants, linear relationships between perceived stress and resilience (-.601), perceived stress and self-efficacy integration (-.504), perceived stress and self- efficacy perseverance (-.220), resilience and self-efficacy integration (.667) and resilience and self-efficacy perseverance (.377). Hierarchical multiple linear regression indicated that 48.3% of the variance in resilience was explained by the two sub -scales of self-efficacy (p = < .001). Also, 26% (p = < .001) of the variance in perceived stress was explained by the two subscales of the self-efficacy. It is concluded that self-efficacy is a significant predictor of resilience and perceived stress among women living with HIV in Niger State, Nigeria.

Collaborative clinical facilitation in selected nursing and midwifery colleges in Northern Ghana.

Background: Collaborative clinical facilitation converges key players to guide students individually and within groups towards achieving clinical nursing competence. However, experiences of collaborative clinical facilitation among nurse educators, clinical preceptors and nursing and midwifery students are often fragmented and have been largely unexplored in Ghana. Aim: To describe the experiences of collaborative clinical facilitation among nurse educators, clinical preceptors and final year nursing and midwifery students in Northern Ghana. Setting: The study was conducted at two nursing and midwifery colleges and an academic hospital in Northern Ghana. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive, exploratory design was utilized. Forty-six participants comprising 16 nurse educators, 10 clinical preceptors, 10 nursing students and 10 midwifery students were purposively sampled. Focus groups and in-depth interviews were used to gather data and analysed thematically. Results: Three themes revealed facilitative experiences of collaborative clinical facilitation: team-based clinical mentorship and supervision, personalised preceptorship, and clinical conferences. Two themes emerged inhibitory to collaborative clinical facilitation: staff shortages and lack of timely communication. Conclusion: This study found that team mentorship, preceptorship and conferences fostered collaborative clinical partnerships for students' clinical learning. However, failure to engage in timeous communication in the midst of staff shortages hampered its smooth practice. Orientation workshops need to be organised for key players to share relevant updates and explore ways to navigate the challenges often experienced within the clinical training environment. Contribution: This paper provides insight into the collaborative nature of clinical facilitation; and highlights the need for coordinated clinical placements to enhance students' clinical learning.

Simulation debriefing as part of simulation for clinical teaching and learning in nursing education: A scoping review.

AIM: To map the evidence of the simulation debriefing phase in simulation activities of nursing education, to address and inform clinical teaching and learning in nursing. DESIGN: A scoping review. METHODS: A systematic review of literature published between 2008-2021 was conducted using CINAHL & ERIC, MEDLINE, EMBASE, APA PsycInfo, the Cochrane Library and JBI Evidence synthesis. Inclusion criteria were primary studies published in English on simulation debriefing at all levels in nursing education. RESULTS: Of 140 included references, only 80% (N = 112) framed simulation debriefing theoretically either by specific theories/models or as a literature review of the topic. A variety of simulation debriefing methods were identified; however, debriefing methods were only described in 79% (N = 110) of the references. There appears to be a gap in consensus concerning the theoretical or methodological frameworks characterizing simulation debriefing in nursing education. The majority of studies (86%) were conducted at a bachelor's degree level (N = 121).

Adolescent on the bridge: Transitioning adolescents living with HIV to an adult clinic, in Ghana, to go or not to go?

BACKGROUND: Children survive into adult life with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which previously would have been lethal in early childhood. METHODS: The study aimed to describe the current transitional process for Adolescents Living with HIV (ALHIV) in a resource-limited setting in Ashanti Region, Ghana. The study was an explorative study that used an interpretive paradigm. A semi-structured interview guide was used to interview ALHIV, selected by purposive sampling. The study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Kumasi. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Transitioning of ALHIV was done without any guide; the themes generated were on the process of transition in which they used age (13 and above) and disclosure as the criterion to move ALHIV to the adult clinic. Most adolescents complained about being stigmatised, the attitude of staff, interruption of school and separation anxiety as experiences they went through during the transitioning process. On improving transition, ALHIV felt sexual and reproductive health services, information on treatment, privacy, and support were necessary transition components. CONCLUSION: The use of age and disclosure of status as a criterion for transitioning ALHIV affects moving and retaining this age group in HIV management programs in the adult clinics. There is, therefore, an urgent need for a guideline as the current transition process defeats the purpose of providing adolescents with age-specific care in the Adult Clinic.

Lived experiences of human immunodeficiency virus and hypertension in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Globally, the healthcare system is burdened with the rise in communicable diseases compounded by the comorbidity of non-communicable diseases. South Africa in particular experiences a quadruple burden of diseases, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hypertension are amongst the burden of diseases reported. AIM: This article aims to explore and describe the lived experiences of people living with HIV (PLWH) and hypertension in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. SETTING: The study was conducted in the Sakhisizwe sub-district within the Chris Hani health district of the Eastern Cape. METHODS: A qualitative study design using Husserl's descriptive phenomenology underpinned this study. Purposive sampling method was used to select participants. Information was gathered using semi-structured interviews from nine participants who met the inclusion criteria. The interviews were recorded on an audiotape and conducted in isiXhosa, and these were verified through back and forward translation to English. The transcribed interviews were coded manually, and underpinned by Giorgi's phenomenological data analysis steps. RESULTS: This study yielded four themes that described the journey towards a new normal experienced by participants. These themes were (1) overcoming illness-related stigma, (2) sources of support, (3) self-love: taking ownership of the diseases and (4) creating transforming behaviours and self-care strategies. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the central theme that emerged from the lived experiences of participants with HIV and hypertension was a process of finding a new normal for their lives. This process had several enabling and inhibiting conditions that enabled participants to develop self-acceptance and find strategies to transform behaviours to better live with two chronic illnesses.

Condom use: a less travelled route among minibus taxi drivers and their taxi queens in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Despite significant gains in the HIV epidemic in South Africa, with reduction in mortality and elimination of vertical transmission, national HIV prevalence remains high, with women rather than men continuing to bear higher burden of the disease. Population subgroups, through ignorance, disbelief or recklessness, continue to engage in risky sexual behaviour. A substantial proportion of minibus taxi drivers engage in risky sex, seldom seeing themselves at risk for STIs or HIV/AIDS. These taxi drivers have been linked with so-called taxi queens, with whom they engage in transactional and intergenerational relationships. OBJECTIVES: The study explored condom use and condom negotiation strategies among taxi drivers and taxi queens in Kwa- Zulu-Natal, South Africa. METHODS: Applying explorative qualitative design, we conducted focus group discussion and individual interviews among participants who were purposively recruited in KwaZulu-Natal. RESULT: Qualitative data analysis revealed that condom use and negotiation are sources of conflict for the participants. In addition, the strategies employed by participants to ensure condom usage are not always sustainable and are likely to be problematic due to a variety of complex factors. CONCLUSION: Our study concludes by recommending a nested public health response that takes cognizance of factors that promote sustainable condom use strategies among this population subgroup.

The impact of taking or not taking ARVs on HIV stigma as reported by persons living with HIV infection in five African countries.

AIM: This study examined the impact of taking or not taking antiretroviral (ARV) medications on stigma, as reported by people living with HIV infection in five African countries. DESIGN: A two group (taking or not taking ARVs) by three (time) repeated measures analysis of variance examined change in reported stigma in a cohort sample of 1454 persons living with HIV infection in Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, and Tanzania. Participants self-reported taking ARV medications and completed a standardized stigma scale validated in the African context. Data were collected at three points in time, from January 2006 to March 2007. Participants taking ARV medications self-reported a mean CD4 count of 273 and those not taking ARVs self-reported a mean CD4 count of 418. RESULTS: Both groups reported significant decreases in total HIV stigma over time; however, people taking ARVs reported significantly higher stigma at Time 3 compared to those not taking ARVs. DISCUSSION: This study documents that this sample of 1454 HIV infected persons in five countries in Africa reported significantly less HIV stigma over time. In addition, those participants taking ARV medications experienced significantly higher HIV stigma over time compared to those not taking ARVs. This finding contradicts some authors' opinions that when clients enroll in ARV medication treatment it signifies that they are experiencing less stigma. This work provides caution to health care providers to alert clients new to ARV treatment that they may experience more stigma from their families and communities when they learn they are taking ARV medications.

The development and validation of the HIV/AIDS Stigma Instrument - Nurse (HASI-N).

Illness-related stigma remains a serious problem in the management of HIV disease in Africa. This article describes a series of study phases conducted to develop and validate an instrument to measure HIV/AIDS-related stigma as perpetrated and experienced by nurses. Data were collected in Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland and Tanzania, from 2004-2006. The first phase was a qualitative study with focus group participants (n=251) to gather emic and etic descriptions of HIV/AIDS-related stigma in the five countries. Based on the qualitative data, a 46-item instrument was developed and tested during a second phase in the same five countries (n=244). The result of this phase was a 33-item, three-factor instrument with an average Cronbach alpha of 0.85. A third phase tested the instrument in 1474 nurses. The result was a final 19-item instrument, the HIV/AIDS Stigma Instrument - Nurse (HASI-N), comprised of two factors (Nurses Stigmatizing Patients and Nurses Being Stigmatized) with a Cronbach alpha of 0.90. Concurrent validity was tested by comparing the level of stigma with job satisfaction and quality of life. A significant negative correlation was found between stigma and job satisfaction. The HASI-N is the first inductively derived instrument measuring stigma experienced and enacted by nurses. It has the potential to be used not only to measure stigma, but also to develop stigma-reduction interventions.

Stress and resilience among women living with HIV in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Psychological morbidities concurrent with HIV have been the focus of considerable scientific investigations. However, researchers have largely overlooked HIV-related stress and resilience among women living with HIV in rural communities. AIM: This study explored the associations between psychological resilience and HIV-related stress among women living with HIV. SETTING: The study was conducted in three randomly selected hospitals that provide primary HIV care in Niger state, Nigeria. METHODS: A predictive cross-sectional design was used to describe the relationship between perceived stress and resilience among the study population. RESULTS: Out of 748 participants who completed the Connor-Davidson resilience scale and the perceived stress scale questionnaires, 676 returned the questionnaire in usable form. While the results showed moderate levels of perceived stress and a high level of psychological resilience, there was a significant and negative relationship between HIV-related stress and psychological resilience (r = -0.601, p = 0.001). Also, higher resilience was significantly associated with decreased perceived stress. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that measures to promote resilience and employment opportunity may ameliorate HIV-related stress among women living with HIV.

Coping with HIV-related stigma in five African countries.

People living with HIV (PLWH) and their families are subjected to prejudice, discrimination, and hostility related to the stigmatization of AIDS. This report examines how PLWH cope with HIV-related stigma in the five southern African countries of Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland, and Tanzania. A descriptive qualitative research design was used to explore the experience of HIV-related stigma of PLWH and nurses in 2004. A total of 43 focus groups were conducted with 251 participants (114 nurses, 111 PLWH, and 26 volunteers). In describing incidents of stigma, respondents reported strategies used or observed to cope with those incidents. Nurse reports of coping strategies that they used as well as observed in HIV-infected patients were coded. Coping strategies used by PLWH in dealing with HIV-related stigma were coded. A total of 17 different self-care strategies were identified: restructuring, seeing oneself as OK, letting go, turning to God, hoping, changing behavior, keeping oneself active, using humor, joining a support or social group, disclosing one's HIV status, speaking to others with same problem, getting counseling, helping others to cope with the illness, educating others, learning from others, acquiring knowledge and understanding about the disease, and getting help from others. Coping appears to be self-taught and only modestly helpful in managing perceived stigma.

Disclosure of HIV status: experiences and perceptions of persons living with HIV/AIDS and nurses involved in their care in Africa.

Most people with HIV have disclosed their status to someone, often with mixed results. Most health literature seems to favor disclosure by persons living with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), but it could be that to disclose is not always a good thing. We used a descriptive, qualitative research design to explore the experience of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS stigma of people living with HIV or AIDS and nurses involved in their care in Africa. Focus group discussions were held with respondents. We asked them to relate incidents that they themselves observed, and those that they themselves experienced in the community and in families. Thirty-nine focus groups were conducted in five countries in both urban and rural settings. This article is limited to a discussion of data related to the theme of disclosure only. The sub-themes of disclosure were experiences before the disclosure, the process of disclosure, and responses during and after disclosure.

Stakeholders' experiences in implementation of rapid changes to the South African prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme.

BACKGROUND:  South Africa's prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) programme has undergone rapid changes in the last two decades. Initially, the provision of single antiretroviral therapy was based on eligibility criteria in the year 2001, which later changed to combination therapy. This was aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Since 2015, all pregnant women were eligible for antiretroviral treatment regardless of their CD4 count. Although significant strides were made to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV, increased efforts are required to meet UNAIDS targets, World Health Organization (WHO) elimination framework goals and sustainable development goals to eliminate new HIV infections in children and ending the HIV epidemic by 2030. AIM:  The aim of the study was to explore healthcare workers' experiences and patient perceptions of the implementation of rapid changes to the PMTCT programme in four public healthcare facilities. SETTING:  The study was conducted in the four public healthcare facilities within the two highly HIV-burdened districts of iLembe and eThekwini in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. METHODS:  This study used a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study design using interviews and focus group discussions. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Following verbatim transcription of the data, thematic data analysis was used through data reduction and data display and the emergence of four themes. RESULTS:  A total of 61 stakeholders were interviewed. Four major themes emerged: (1) impact of poor health system design, (2) impact of poor communication of changes, (3) contextual factors affecting innovation in healthcare and (4) skill deficit in change management and forward planning. CONCLUSION:  A healthcare system more responsive to the experiences of healthcare workers and pregnant women is required to effectively implement changes in priority programmes.

Nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding evidence-based practice in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programme in Malawi.

BACKGROUND: HIV continues to be a global public health concern with Malawi being among the worst affected countries. The prevalence of HIV among pregnant women is also very high, thereby raising concerns of mother-to-child transmission of the virus. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV is therefore a priority in the efforts to curb the HIV pandemic. Keeping in mind that the area of HIV management is rapidly evolving, underpinning nursing care with evidence-based practice is essential and has been reported to reduce mother-to-child transmission. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to explore and describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses regarding evidence-based practice in PMTCT at a selected hospital in Malawi. METHODS: An exploratory descriptive quantitative design was used, and 81 nurses working in paediatric, obstetrics and gynaecology departments completed a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using Predictive Analytics Software. RESULTS: The results showed that nurses had average knowledge of evidence-based practice and although their attitudes were favourable, their practice was very low. Certain sociodemographic variables had an influence on the respondent's knowledge, attitudes and practices. Furthermore, the results have indicated that evidence-based practice was mainly hampered by insufficient resources and difficulties in accessing research articles. It emerged from the study that mentoring, training and access to literature could facilitate evidence-based practice in PMTCT among nurses. CONCLUSION: Nurses need to be provided with the necessary support including education and resources if evidence-based practice in PMTCT is to be promoted.

Mapping evidence of interventions and strategies to bridge the gap in the implementation of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programme policy in sub-Saharan countries: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV is a life-saving public health intervention. Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries have made significant progress in the programme, but little is known about the strategies used by them to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV. AIM: To map evidence of strategies and interventions employed by SSA in bridging the implementation gap in the rapidly changing PMTCT of HIV programme policy. METHODS: Electronic search of the databases MEDLINE, PubMed and SABINET for articles published in English between 2001 and August 2016. Key words included 'Sub-Saharan African countries', 'implementation strategies', 'interventions to bridge implementation gap', 'prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV' and 'closing implementation gap'. RESULTS: Of a total of 743 articles, 25 articles that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Manual content analysis resulted in the identification of three categories of strategies: (1) health system (referral systems, integration of services, supportive leadership, systematic quality-improvement approaches that vigorously monitors programme performance); (2) health service delivery (task shifting, networking, shared platform for learning, local capacity building, supportive supervision); as well as (3) community-level strategies (community health workers, technology use - mHealth, family-centred approaches, male involvement, culturally appropriate interventions). CONCLUSION: There are strategies that exist in SSA countries. Future research should examine multifaceted scientific models to prioritise the highest impact and be evaluated for effectiveness and efficiency.

"Eating plastic," "winning the lotto," "joining the www"...descriptions of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

This report is based on qualitative data gathered through a series of focus group discussions with people living with HIV or AIDS and nurses in five African countries. Participants were asked which words or phrases people use to refer to the illness and to people living with the illness. A total of 261 respondents were involved in the 40 focus group discussions, and an analysis of the data identified 290 descriptions. The descriptions were classified into 7 categories, which were (from most to least common): attributional, neutral, death-related, physical feature-related, factual statements, lingering illness-related, and common illness-related. Whereas some terms were used in more than one country, others were unique to a specific country. The descriptions show many negative labels and beliefs, but also an awareness of the devastating effects of the illness on individuals.

A Survey of the quality of nursing care in several health districts in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: South Africa is currently focusing strongly on human resource development. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the quality of nursing service and care in three health districts in the KwaZulu Natal Province. To identify deficiencies which could be addressed by education and training, it might be useful to measure the quality of care given by nurses. METHODS: From March to August 2002 a survey was done in six hospitals and six clinics in three health districts of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Five different aspects of care was evaluated; hand-over from one nursing shift to another, implementation of universal precautions, patient satisfaction, nursing records, management of chronic illnesses. All these aspects were evaluated using checklists based on record reviews or direct observation, except for patient satisfaction, which was evaluated by questionnaires. RESULTS: The average scores on the different aspects varied from 11% (for nursing records) to 73% (for management of chronic diseases). Specific problems became evident. In one district three out of four hand-overs between shifts of nurses scored less than 50%. In all three districts the use of protective gear scored low (43%). While the average score for management of chronic illnesses were high at 73%, the blood pressures of only 23% was within the target range, and the blood sugar of only 38% of patients were controlled. Patient satisfaction averaged 72% across the three districts. CONCLUSION: The quality of care measurements identified specific training needs, but other management strategies are probably also indicated.

Nurses experiences in palliative care of terminally-ill HIV patients in a level 1 district hospital.

BACKGROUND: Whilst the discourse of palliative care in HIV management is largely documented and regarded as being an essential component, various authors have further argued that within the context of HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa, palliative care and exploration of the dimensions thereof is largely lacking. This article presents the lived experiences of nurses involved in palliative care, thus providing the perspective of nurses and the multi-faceted dimensions of the nature of caring inherent. OBJECTIVES: This study explored the respondents' understanding of the concepts 'caring' and 'terminal patient' and described the experiences of nurses caring for terminally-ill patients with HIV and how these experiences influence the nature of care rendered. METHODS: Qualitative research using Husserl's approach of phenomenology design underpinned the study and Giorgi's steps of analysis were used to make meaning of the data. RESULTS: The concept 'caring' was experienced by the nurses as transforming the patients' quality of life through supportive care and hope for life. Palliative care made the nurses conscious of their own mortality, enabling them to be more sensitive, compassionate and dedicated to caring for their patients. The findings described the social networking that enabled nurses to collaborate with colleagues in the interdisciplinary teams and shared knowledge, skills and support within the palliative care team in order to optimise patient outcomes. CONCLUSION: Nurses with prolonged involvement in caring for terminally-ill patients with HIV experienced helplessness and emotional stress. Recommendations based on the results are that training in psychological and holistic care of the patient, professional counselling and stress management services are needed to support the nurse in this context.

Minibus taxi drivers' sexual beliefs and practices associated with HIV infection and AIDS in KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa.

Risky sexual behaviours in South Africa are a major contributing factor to the spread of HIV infection and AIDS. HIV infection amongst minibus taxi drivers is a concern, because these people belong to an occupational group that exhibits risky behaviours due to the demands of their work. Given the high vulnerability of minibus taxi drivers, exploring the sexual beliefs and health-related sexual practices of this group will assist in planning targeted interventions. The objectives of this study were to assess the level of knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding HIV infection and AIDS amongst minibus taxi drivers. An exploratory descriptive study was conducted using a pre-tested questionnaire to explore and describe sexual beliefs and practices associated with HIV infection and AIDS in a convenience sample of 175 minibus taxi drivers. Permission to undertake the study was obtained from the KwaZulu-Natal Taxi Alliance and individuals who participated in the study. Data analysis were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 13.0. The study revealed that minibus taxi drivers are one of the high- risk groups in the spread of HIV infection and AIDS; they lack necessary education and need attention in relation to control and prevention of the spread of HIV and AIDS. Multiple sexual partners are relatively common amongst the minibus taxi drivers. Violence against women and even forceful sexual intercourse in the belief that women should tolerate it to keep the family together was reported. There is a need for intervention programmes with a focus on minibus taxi drivers and similar high-risk groups. Prevention activities should incorporate the distribution of condoms amongst this group and HIV prevention educational programmes, as well as creating mechanisms for accessing circumcision by the minibus taxi drivers.

Kwazulu-Natal minibus taxi drivers' perceptions on HIV and AIDS: transmission, prevention, support and effects on the industry.

In South Africa, the minibus taxi drivers are largely becoming another high-risk category in the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Although previous studies have shown that knowledge of HIV and AIDS is relatively high among the taxi drivers it is still not clear how this sub-population perceive the support rendered to them with regard to HIV and AIDS prevention strategies. This study aimed to focus on this atypical workplace and explore the KwaZulu-Natal, minibus taxi drivers' perceptions on HIV and AIDS. In this study, qualitative methods were utilized to determine the minibus taxi drivers' understanding of HIV and AIDS infection, HIV prevention strategies, existing support strategies and effects of HIV and AIDS on the taxi industry. Focus-group discussions were conducted, to collect data. The results showed that even though the taxi drivers had some understanding on HIV and AIDS there was still a dire need for interventions that were geared towards addressing HIV-related needs of the drivers in this industry.