AEGiS-15IAC: Capacitating nurses and health care workers to meet WHO's 3 by 5 goal for the provision of antiretrovirals (ARV).

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Capacitating nurses and health care workers to meet WHO's 3 by 5 goal for the provision of antiretrovirals (ARV).

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. MoOrE1067)

McGilvray MJ, Willis NJ, Pawinski R, Giddy J
Nelson R Mandela Medical School, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

ISSUES: South Africa is currently embarking on one of the largest implementation programs for the provision of ARV in resource constrained settings. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the paucity of available doctors potentially undermines the initiation of new high resource health interventions. Challenges of ARV therapy can be met by the nurse and Health Care Workers (HCW) in resource limited settings and potentially assists WHO achieve the 3 by 5 goal. Needs analyses indicate that nurses and HCWs are widely under utilised within their existing roles and lack the knowledge and skills required to support patients taking ARVs. Whilst province-wide training programmes will be implemented in most countries providing ARVs, novel interventions to capacitate nurses and HCW to deliver comprehensive support for patients receiving ARV drugs is required.

DESCRIPTION: An introductory ARV training programme for nurses and HCWs was developed following visits to four HIV clinics in KwaZulu-Natal. Nurse and HCW training needs were identified through participatory observation and informal interviews. The training programme, written by nurses, for nurses, equips them with the knowledge and skills required to support patients taking ARVs. Thus capacity builds through nurses and HCWs realising their full potential and the importance of their role. Emphasis is placed on monitoring, managing side effects and adherence support. Train the Trainer elements are incorporated in order to ensure sustainable training outcomes for ARV programmes.

LESSONS LEARNED: Nurse and HCW training is still under resourced with sparse provision of sustained training facilities.

RECOMMENDATIONS: The role of the nurse and HCW must not be under estimated. Policy makers must consider prioritising comprehensive sustained training for new health interventions such as the comprehensive management of HIV, which includes ARV.

Keywords: AEGIS, Health Personnel, Nurses, Education, Nursing, HIV Infections, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV, Teaching, Anti-HIV Agents, HIV Seropositivity, HIV-1, Africa South of the Sahara, South Africa, Humans, education

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