The knowledge and practices of primary care givers regarding home-based care of HIV/AIDS children in Blantyre (Malawi).

Abstract

Knowledge is one of the major factors that promotes adherence to treatment regimens. With the current trends worldwide of home and community-based services for the management of HIV/AIDS patients, knowledge of care givers about the home care of these patients will determine the success of the programs. The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore the knowledge and practices of primary care givers of HIV/AIDS children in the provision of home care services. In this study an attempt was made to describe the factors which are associated with knowledge. Thirty-six primary care givers were randomly selected from three major home based care centres in Blantyre City, Malawi. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data. Data were analysed manually and by computer, using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS).<br /> The findings revealed a gap in knowledge since in many instances taking a child to the hospital for the management of minor ailments was the action of choice, thus perpetuating the problem of overburdening hospital resources. Lack of prior preparation for home based care was found to be the major factor contributing to the lack of knowledge. Recommendations proposed include the need to put into place mechanisms that will ensure that all the primary care givers are adequately prepared in good time for home care service. Ensuring regular home visits was also thought to be helpful for efficient and effective supervision and reinforcement of information given to fill the gaps in knowledge wherever necessary

Unpaid HIV/AIDS Care in Southern Africa: Forms, Context, and Implications

“…One exception is a survey of children living with HIV/AIDS drawn from different home-based care organizations in Blantyre, Malawi. This study shows that 94 percent of caregivers were women (E. W. Zimba and Patricia A. McInerney 2001). Another useful quantitative survey conducted in 2004, which drew caregivers purposively from four home-based care organizations across South Africa, found that 78 percent of primary caregivers were women (Homan et al 2005a).…”

Home Based Care for People Living with HIV/AIDS; Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Family Care Givers at Ukonga Ward in Ilala District

“…The fi ndings of this study are similar to the result of the study done in South Africa which found that there was low knowledge of Home Based Care among family care givers for PLWHA as evidenced by the substantial proportion of caregivers who wished to receive more information and education on caring for people living with HIV/AIDS (11) . Another study done in Malawi on knowledge and practice of primary care givers regarding home based care of HIV/ AIDS children revealed a gap/lack of knowledge (10) . However the study done in Ethiopia found different results in which family care givers for PLWHA reported to be knowledgeable on HBC provision (12) .…”

Constructing an alternative family unit: families living with HIV/AIDS redefine African traditional parenting patterns

“…A wealth of literature (e.g., Ankrah 1993, Zimba and Mclerney 2001, Benjamin 2005, van de Wouwer 2005 has been generated on HIV/AIDS and caregiving with many research studies (e.g., Tiblier et al 1989, Wong-Wylie 1997, Uys 2002 concentrating on the experiences of caregivers. These individuals are most often reported as biological grandparents and other female kin who assume full responsibility for the orphaned children.…”