The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67541

James A. Ransom, BA MPH, BMHO, 6213 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20011-8001, 2025456866, james.ransom@aya.yale.edu and Anton F. Johnson, BSc MPsych, Clinical Psychology, Medicross Medical Centre, North Pine Drive, North Pine, Brackenfell, 7520, South Africa.

Background: South Africa has one of the world’s highest rates of HIV infection, and rates continue to rise across the country, irrespective of age, race, ethnicity, or gender. Health education messages must be more inclusive to reflect current HIV epidemiology throughout South Africa and must be consciously integrated into all levels of HIV prevention efforts.

Objectives: This study was conducted to: 1) assess health care provider knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices toward HIV/AIDS intervention; 2) assess client/patient knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about HIV/AIDS; and 3) collect information to development educational programs for providers and patients.

Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews and patient/client focus groups in 3 South African cities and townships.

Results and Conclusions: Nearly all providers understood the basics of HIV transmission, prevention, and control. They were aware of national policies on anti-retroviral availability, particularly nevirapine, effective use of drugs to treat opportunistic infections, and referring patients to appropriate places for testing and treatment. However, they were not as knowledgeable about HIV and co-infections such as tuberculosis and educating their clients on the different modes of transmission and risk factors of each disease. The clients did not fully understanding the intervention messages provided at the health centers, as they did not have a clear understanding of many behaviors and practices that put them at risk of infection with HIV. The focus groups showed that the participants’ health beliefs were embedded in the social conditions (poverty) in which they lived and worked and that had a ripple effect on their risk behaviors and trumped any intervention messages from the providers.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will understand the severe consequences of high infection rates in South Africa and that HIV/AIDS can no longer be viewed as just a disease but must be seen as a major public health disaster that will quickly become a development disaster for South Africa.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Assessments

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.