HIV and AIDS has moved rapidly throughout sub-Saharan Africa, dramatically adding to the crisis of orphaned children on the continent. Knowledge of African responses to their problem is needed so that interventions from the global community are culturally appropriate. An assessment of 73 programs caring for over 100,000 vulnerable and orphaned children in Malawi was conducted. A cross section of programs throughout the country was visited. Three primary care strategies were found: community-based orphan care, institutional and residential care, and self-care. The model of care preferred by Africans is community based because this keeps a child in a family environment in their own village and tribe. By listening to the people of Africa, the worldwide community can learn how to work with them as they care for millions of orphaned children.

Errors in programming patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps unfortunately occur in hospitals. At this hospital, quality improvement efforts were combined with staff development programming to decrease PCA pump errors. A significant decrease in PCA pump errors was found after 1:1 staff education.

Perinatal nurses were surveyed to determine their knowledge, attitudes, and fears concerning AIDS. Nurses' knowledge correlated positively with attendance at conferences and in-service programs. More than 85% of the respondents reported moderate to high fear of AIDS. No correlation was found between knowledge and self-reported fear scores. A discrepancy occurred between the nurses' beliefs that persons with AIDS deserve the same care as any other patient and the nurses' willingness to volunteer to care for these patients. Further research to test and evaluate coping strategies to help perinatal nurses care for mothers and newborns with AIDS must be conducted.

This study explored the attitudes, knowledge, and fears of occupational therapists and certified occupational therapy assistants regarding AIDS and HIV. The 119 respondents' scores related to knowledge and fear revealed that many had significant fears about AIDS, which in turn may inhibit their willingness to care for persons with AIDS. The respondents also indicated a need for specific information about the condition, including current research data and information on infection control.