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An assessment of the HIV/TB knowledge and skills of home-based carers working in the North West province in South Africa: a cross-sectional study.
- Source :
- BMC Health Services Research; 4/19/2017, Vol. 17, p1-7, 7p, 2 Charts, 1 Graph
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- <bold>Background: </bold>Home-based carers (HBCs) play a critical role in ensuring the success of the primary health care re-engineering strategy in South Africa. Their role includes ensuring improved access to and delivery of primary health care at the household level, and better co-ordination and improved linkages between community and health facilities for HIV/TB services. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, skills, challenges and training needs of HBCs involved in HIV/TB care in one sub-district in the North-West province of South Africa.<bold>Methods: </bold>We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study in which 157 HBCs were interviewed to assess their knowledge and skills regarding HIV and TB. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using SPSS statistical software and thematic analysis respectively.<bold>Results: </bold>One hundred and forty-four (92%) of the interviewees were female and 13 (8%) were male. The median age of the participants was 35 years (interquartile range (IQR): 22-27). The median score for knowledge of both HIV and TB questions was 66% (IQR: 57-75). In general, HIV knowledge scores were higher than TB knowledge scores (73% versus 66%). A significant association was found between knowledge scores and formal training (pā<ā0.05), and knowledge scores and highest educational levels (pā<ā0.05). Irrespective of knowledge, HBCs reported providing a variety of services to support HIV/TB services in the communities in which they worked. HBCs also reported facing various challenges in their jobs related to stigma and the social contexts in which they work.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>The study showed that the overall knowledge of HBCs was limited, given the skills required and the services they provide. Given the increasing role of HBCs in various health initiatives, targeted interventions are required to support and improve their competencies and service provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- LONG-distance caregivers
TELEMEDICINE
ABILITY
THEORY of knowledge
HIV infections
TUBERCULOSIS
THERAPEUTICS
TUBERCULOSIS treatment
COMMUNITY health services
HOME care services
CAREGIVERS
PSYCHOLOGY of caregivers
CLINICAL competence
COMPARATIVE studies
HEALTH attitudes
RESEARCH methodology
MEDICAL cooperation
PALLIATIVE treatment
PRIMARY health care
RESEARCH
RESEARCH evaluation
SOCIAL stigma
PILOT projects
EVALUATION research
CROSS-sectional method
STANDARDS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14726963
- Volume :
- 17
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- BMC Health Services Research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 122591054
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2238-8