AEGiS-11IAC: Building on the role of local culture in complementing continum care for HIV/AIDS/STD.

11th International AIDS Conference


Vancouver, British Columbia — July 7-12, 1996

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Building on the role of local culture in complementing continum care for HIV/AIDS/STD.

Int Conf AIDS 1996 Jul 7-12; 11:444 (abstract no. Pub.B.1039)
Byngire M, Madraa E, Kahwa P, Muhumuza C; AIDS Control Programme, Uganda. Fax: 20608.

ISSUE: With the increasing number of people with HIV/AIDS and ARC; hospitals are overcrowded. Although hospitals and health Units are equipped with Medical workers, Counsellors and Counsellor Assistants respectively, patients discharged are left in uncoordinated suspense which calls for a dignified home care and referral service. This gap has been filled with Community based Counselling aides (CCAs). Thru their services, emphasis on traditional system of Care and Support has been rejuvenated to absorb this vaccum.

PROJECT: NACP puts in place six trainers at the district. The district selects one subcounty where one person per village is selected by the Community leaders. This one is trained in basic counselling skills for 14 days to become a CCA. The CCA acts as a complement for continum care and is in constant touch with the dispensary and community. The initial subcounty is an example to the rest and the DMO is encouraged to continue training and supervise in other subcounties using existing local funds.

LESSONS LEARNED: CCAs in each village are an important referral link for continum care. They are a good source of information, they distribute educational materials. Traditional systems of Care and Support through CCAs is being rejuvenated.

CONCLUSION: Complementing continum care right from hospitals through health Units to the community is possible. CCAs are a realistic source of support as they promote and strengthen rejuvenation of cultural response to epidemics and terminal diseases like HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV, HIV Infections, Culture, Counseling, HIV-1, AIDS-Related Complex, AIDS Serodiagnosis, Laboratory Techniques and Procedures, Home Care Services, Medicine, African Traditional, Referral and Consultation, Human, ethnology, ICA11

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PubB1039

Copyright © 1996 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.