An exploratory study of infection control practices in home-based care in Durban, South Africa.
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Date
2012
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Abstract
Infection control practices are a critical element in home-based care for people living with
HIV/AIDS. It involves principles and procedures used to minimize the risk of spreading
infections in home-based care. Infection control practices help to prevent morbidity,
mortality rates and improve health for the volunteer caregivers and the patients. However,
most previous studies on home-based care have focused on burdens of care, perceptions of
rewards, quality of care and challenges faced by caregivers. Therefore, it is not clear how and
to what extent infection control practices are carried out in home-based care. The purpose of
this study is to explore the experiences of home-based care coordinators and volunteer
caregivers regarding infection control practices in home-based care. Qualitative interviews
were conducted with ten home-based care coordinators/project managers and ten focus group
discussions were conducted with volunteer caregivers. An interview guide and a focus group
schedule with open ended questions were used. Volunteer caregivers in home-based care
organizations were faced with practical challenges regarding infection control practices that
posed a threat to their work and health. The received insufficient infection control material
resources such as gloves, masks and sanitizers. They also mentioned to have received poor
quality gloves that easily broke, poor quality aprons that were not tight; easily blown by the
wind and also thin masks that could not filter the bad odour. Other challenges that they faced
included, insufficient water supply; insufficient knowledge on infection control and lack of
cooperation from some patients and some family members regarding the use of protective
clothing especially gloves and masks. Most volunteer caregivers were ridiculed by some
family, community members and friends. Sometimes they could not access some patient due
to HIV related stigma and discrimination. However, volunteers developed various strategies
of dealing with these challenges such as replacing the torn gloves with plastics, carrying 2.5
litres of water, educating patients and family members about the importance of wearing
gloves and practicing infection control. These findings require the government, NGOs,
funders and donors to form a forum with volunteer caregivers to discuss the supply of
materials. They need to establish a central administration that will be responsible for
allocating adequate and quality materials for infection control practices. This central
administration should also be responsible for supervising HBCOs including monitoring and
evaluating infection control practices.
Description
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.
Keywords
Infection--Prevention., Home care services--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban., Health promotion--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban., Theses--Psychology.