Framework for a workplace wellness programme for HIV and AIDS affected and/or infected nurse practitioners

[摘要] Purpose: The purpose of this study was to propose a framework for thedevelopment of a workplace well ness programme for nurse practitioners who areinfected with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS in the healthcare private sector.Research objectives: The objective of the study was to identify and describecomponents, as well as propose a framework, necessary to develop a workplacewell ness programme.Background: Nurse practitioners are daily confronted with illness, disease anddebilitating health, psychosocial and economical conditions, especially in SouthAfrica, where the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is very high amongst the sexually andeconomically active adult women between 15 - 49 years of age.Although the nurse practitioner perceive this state as being a negative notion tohealth, they accept it as a way of living and choose to adopt the positive concept ofhealth, namely well ness, for themselves. The nurse practitioner thus experienceswell ness if she is holistically sound and healthy, but acknowledges that her/his workenvironment and economical circumstances have a profound influence on theirquality of life and sense of wellbeing. Furthermore emphasizing that nursepractitioners have the desire to stay healthy and well within an environment wherethey are daily confronted with HIV/AIDS.To support and help nurse practitioners reach an optimal level of positive health andwellbeing, research was done to explain the interrelationship between health andwell ness and how health and well ness could be promoted in a workplace byinstituting a workplace well ness programme.Research design: A descriptive research method in quantitative research designwas used to obtain and explore information about the components found in theworkplace that have a direct impact on the physical, psychosocial, spiritual andeconomical wellbeing of nurse practitioners confronted with HIV/AIDS which couldbe addressed by means of a workplace wellness programme.A structured questionnaire and the application of the Likert scale of measurementwas presented to registered and enrolled nurse practitioners (n=232) after probablesampling based on randomisation, was done at the designated institution.Findings: The nurse practitioners indicated that they were afraid of being infectedwith HIV/AIDS and that they wanted to stay HIV negative. They regarded the thencurrent management of HIV/AIDS in their workplace to be reconsidered. They wereof opinion that HIV/AIDS pose a serious threat in the workplace and considered aworkplace well ness programme as a priority whereby HIV/AIDS issues could beeffectively addressed. The enhancement of positive health and wellbeing could beattained through applicable workplace interventions, awareness initiatives, HIV/AIDSinformation, health and wellness promotional services and programmes, as well aseffective counsellor and peer educational initiatives.Conclusions: A framework utilizing a logic model to demonstrate the theory ofchange was presented that illustrated and explained the following:�?Components inherent to the nurse practitioner and the workplace thatinfluence the development of a workplace well ness programme;�?A workplace well ness programme involves health, weiiness, healthpromotion and a structured wellness programme;�?Components necessary for instituting an effective integrated HIV/AIDSworkplace management strategy for the development of a workplacewell ness programme for nurse practitioners affected and/or infected withHIV/AIDS.

[发布机构] University of the Free State