Exploring the knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of the side effects of antiretroviral drugs amongst staff and HIV patients at public healthcare institutions in the Frances Baard District of the Northern Cape South Africa, 2012

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: 'What do HIV patients and staff members think about when they hear the word Side effect‟? Skin rashes, dizziness, nightmares, painful feet are some of the common side effects that patients on antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) experience once treatment is initiated on ARVs but it is said that these side effects are temporary and transient. Are patients and staff able to understand the concept of a side effect if they can or cannot understand the manifestation of this condition called HIV? Does a patient perceive a side effect as a good or bad thing and will the side effects change as our patients continue on the ARVs and become older? As the HIV programs progress over time should we not be educating our patients on the longer term side effects such as cardio toxicity, bone disorders and nephrotoxicity or are we of the opinion that we should not tell our patients about the long-term side effects in case it scares them and disrupts treatment?These are some of the questions that prompted this research study. The researcher explored the practices at two public healthcare facilities in order to understand the knowledge, perception and attitudes of the side effects of ARVs amongst staff and HIV patients. A total of sixty two (62) HIV patients and twenty five (25) staff members participated in this research study and the researcher used both the quantitative and qualitative research methods to execute the study. The objectives of the study were:- To assess the knowledge, perception and attitude of the side effects of ARVs amongst staff and HIV patients at KHC and GDH- To identify current practices at KHC and GDH that support the understanding and knowledge of the side effects of ARVs amongst staff and HIV patients- To identify the gaps between the knowledge and existing practises amongst staff and HIV patients at KHC and GDH- To provide recommendations to improve the perception, attitude and knowledge about the side effects of ARVs amongst staff and HIV patientsIt was found that the patients and staff are knowledgeable about the common side effects of ARVs but patients have the need to be informed about as many side effects as possible in order for them to understand their condition. It is further recommended that support groups, counselling services and health talks be provided at facilities to encourage the understanding of the side effects of ARVs amongst all patients and staff members.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University