Nurses' engagement in AIDS policy development.

BACKGROUND: A multidisciplinary team of 20 researchers and research users from six countries - Canada, Jamaica, Barbados, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa - are collaborating on a 5-year (2007-12) program of research and capacity building project. This program of research situates nurses as leaders in building capacity and promotes collaborative action with other health professionals and decision-makers to improve health systems for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) nursing care. One of the projects within this program of research focused on the influence of workplace policies on nursing care for individuals and families living with HIV. Nurses are at the forefront of HIV prevention and AIDS care in these countries but have limited involvement in related policy decisions and development. In this paper, we present findings related to the barriers and facilitators for nurses' engagement in policymaking. METHODS: A participatory action research design guided the program of research. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 51 nurses (unit managers, clinic and healthcare managers, and senior nurse officers) for interviews. FINDINGS: Participants expressed the urgent need to develop policies related to AIDS care. The need to raise awareness and to 'protect' not only the workers but also the patients were critical reason to develop policies. Nurses in all of the participating countries commented on their lack of involvement in policy development. Lack of communication from the top down and lack of information sharing were mentioned as barriers to participation in policy development. Resources were often not available to implement the policy requirement. Strong support from the management team is necessary to facilitate nurses involvement in policy development. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study clearly express the need for nurses and all other stakeholders to mobilize nurses' involvement in policy development. Long-term and sustained actions are needed to address gaps on the education, research and practice level.

Perceptions of Rural Teenagers on Teenage Pregnancy

It is important to seek an understanding of teenagers' perceptions regarding teenage pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions of teenagers in Bushbuckridge district in the Limpopo Province; South Africa; towards teenage pregnancy. An explorative qualitative research design was used with convenience sampling to select participants. Thirty-two teenagers participated; 10 boys and 22 girls. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data. Tesch's method of data analysis was used. Three main categories emerged from the analyses of the interviews: (1) teenagers' attitudes and perceptions of teenage pregnancy; (2) teenagers' level of knowledge of contraception; and also (3) their reasons for becoming pregnant. Teenage pregnancy poses significant social and health problems in the Bushbuckridge district and has implications for all health care professionals. Given the complexity of this problem; health care professionals working with this group should develop a wide range of practical and interpersonal skills

The educational and supportive needs of informal caregivers working at Refentse Clinic, Hammanskraal.

Informal caregivers have long been used as health care providers. It is also not uncommon in present days, to see such practice in the community. This practice of caring normally occurs within the context of the family. The purpose of the study is to explore and describe the educational and supportive needs of informal caregivers. This will assist in planning and establishing health education programmes and a supportive network, for the informal caregivers at Refentse clinic, at Hammanskraal. A qualitative, explorative and descriptive design was followed, to collect the data. Participants in this study were informal caregivers, who were involved in Refentse clinic and resided in Stinkwater village. The method of choice, to gather data, was focus groups. An unstructured interview with a schedule was followed. Tesch's method was used, to analyse the data. The results indicated that the informal caregivers' educational needs were mostly concentrated on health promotion and disease prevention activities. Their needs concerning support, mainly concentrated around support from government, the community, the University and the Primary Health Care clinic, in the area where they are serving. Personal needs focussed on recognition and respect.

Perception of the health of children living and working on the streets of Sunnyside. Part 1: Literature review and methodology.

The phenomenon of street children is generating increasing concern in South Africa. The number of street children has grown because of the current economic hardship in South Africa, increasing levels of violence and widespread family and community disruption. In terms of health, it is clear that street children may be vulnerable to a range of severe risks. The street child's view of health may differ considerably from that of the researcher. Discrepancies exist between the perceptions of the street children, and those of community health workers. This can have serious consequences when planning health promotion strategies (Jenkins & Emmet 1997:427). The purpose of the study was to describe the perceptions of street children concerning their own health. A qualitative descriptive design was followed in this study. Focus groups were used to obtain data. The findings of this research revealed five categories: Influences the environment has on street children's wellness Paths of homelessness of street children of Sunnyside that play a leading role in their wellness Wellness seeking behaviors of the street children of Sunnyside and the access to care they make use of Sources of advice and wellness education the street children of Sunnyside make use of Illnesses perceived by the street children of Sunnyside.

Standards for perinatal education. Part 1.

Quality control in perinatal education is imperative, with the purpose to deliver a high quality and appropriate healthcare service to the family in the perinatal period. The purpose of this study was to develop valid standards for perinatal education in South Africa. To reach this goal, the study proceeded as follows: Development phase concepts were developed for perinatal education, the concepts were logically systematized and formulated in concept standards, the standards were presented for peer group review with the purpose of refinement and further development. Quantification phase the statistical validity of the standards was determined/calculated. After completion of the study the researcher reached the conclusion that quality perinatal education must adhere to the following standards: A philosophy for perinatal education must exist. The perinatal facilitator must be a well trained professional person, and must possess certain personal traits. The perinatal education style/method must adapt according to the client's socio-economic status, age, marital status and needs. The perinatal facilitator must make use of acknowledged teaching methods and techniques in order to facilitate learning. The perinatal education must comply with certain minimum requirements in order to make it accessible and acceptable to the client. The perinatal facilitator must complete a preparatory phase before she is allowed to give education. A perinatal education programme must have a curriculum that can be adapted to the client's circumstances. Perinatal education must be presented purposefully. The end result of perinatal education must focus on a healthy baby and a healthy, empowered mother, family and community.