Keeping health staff healthy: evaluation of a workplace initiative to reduce morbidity and mortality from HIV/AIDS in Malawi

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dc.contributor.authorBemelmans, Marielleen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorvan den Akker, Thomasen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorPasulani, Olesien_ZA
dc.contributor.authorTayub, Nabilaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorHermann, Katharinaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMwagomba, Beatriceen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorJalasi, Winnieen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorChiomba, Harrieten_ZA
dc.contributor.authorFord, Nathanen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorPhilips, Miten_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2015-11-11T11:57:26Z
dc.date.available2015-11-11T11:57:26Z
dc.date.issued2011en_ZA
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND: In Malawi, the dramatic shortage of human resources for health is negatively impacted by HIV-related morbidity and mortality among health workers and their relatives. Many staff find it difficult to access HIV care through regular channels due to fear of stigma and discrimination. In 2006, two workplace initiatives were implemented in Thyolo District: a clinic at the district hospital dedicated to all district health staff and their first-degree relatives, providing medical services, including HIV care; and a support group for HIV-positive staff. METHODS: Using routine programme data, we evaluated the following outcomes up to the end of 2009: uptake and outcome of HIV testing and counselling among health staff and their dependents; uptake and outcomes of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among health staff; and membership and activities of the support group. In addition, we included information from staff interviews and a job satisfaction survey to describe health workers' opinions of the initiatives. RESULTS: Almost two-thirds (91 of 144, 63%) of health workers and their dependents undergoing HIV testing and counselling at the staff clinic tested HIV positive. Sixty-four health workers had accessed ART through the staff clinic, approximately the number of health workers estimated to be in need of ART. Of these, 60 had joined the support group. Cumulative ART outcomes were satisfactory, with more than 90% alive on treatment as of June 2009 (the end of the study observation period). The availability, confidentiality and quality of care in the staff clinic were considered adequate by beneficiaries. CONCLUSIONS: Staff clinic and support group services successfully provided care and support to HIV-positive health workers. Similar initiatives should be considered in other settings with a high HIV prevalence.en_ZA
dc.identifier.apacitationBemelmans, M., van den Akker, T., Pasulani, O., Tayub, N., Hermann, K., Mwagomba, B., ... Philips, M. (2011). Keeping health staff healthy: evaluation of a workplace initiative to reduce morbidity and mortality from HIV/AIDS in Malawi. <i>Journal of the International AIDS Society</i>, http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14876en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationBemelmans, Marielle, Thomas van den Akker, Olesi Pasulani, Nabila Tayub, Katharina Hermann, Beatrice Mwagomba, Winnie Jalasi, Harriet Chiomba, Nathan Ford, and Mit Philips "Keeping health staff healthy: evaluation of a workplace initiative to reduce morbidity and mortality from HIV/AIDS in Malawi." <i>Journal of the International AIDS Society</i> (2011) http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14876en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationBemelmans, M., van den Akker, T., Pasulani, O., Tayub, N. S., Hermann, K., Mwagomba, B., ... & Philips, M. (2011). Keeping health staff healthy: evaluation of a workplace initiative to reduce morbidity and mortality from HIV/AIDS in Malawi. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 14(1), 1.en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Bemelmans, Marielle AU - van den Akker, Thomas AU - Pasulani, Olesi AU - Tayub, Nabila AU - Hermann, Katharina AU - Mwagomba, Beatrice AU - Jalasi, Winnie AU - Chiomba, Harriet AU - Ford, Nathan AU - Philips, Mit AB - BACKGROUND: In Malawi, the dramatic shortage of human resources for health is negatively impacted by HIV-related morbidity and mortality among health workers and their relatives. Many staff find it difficult to access HIV care through regular channels due to fear of stigma and discrimination. In 2006, two workplace initiatives were implemented in Thyolo District: a clinic at the district hospital dedicated to all district health staff and their first-degree relatives, providing medical services, including HIV care; and a support group for HIV-positive staff. METHODS: Using routine programme data, we evaluated the following outcomes up to the end of 2009: uptake and outcome of HIV testing and counselling among health staff and their dependents; uptake and outcomes of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among health staff; and membership and activities of the support group. In addition, we included information from staff interviews and a job satisfaction survey to describe health workers' opinions of the initiatives. RESULTS: Almost two-thirds (91 of 144, 63%) of health workers and their dependents undergoing HIV testing and counselling at the staff clinic tested HIV positive. Sixty-four health workers had accessed ART through the staff clinic, approximately the number of health workers estimated to be in need of ART. Of these, 60 had joined the support group. Cumulative ART outcomes were satisfactory, with more than 90% alive on treatment as of June 2009 (the end of the study observation period). The availability, confidentiality and quality of care in the staff clinic were considered adequate by beneficiaries. CONCLUSIONS: Staff clinic and support group services successfully provided care and support to HIV-positive health workers. Similar initiatives should be considered in other settings with a high HIV prevalence. DA - 2011 DB - OpenUCT DO - 10.1186/1758-2652-14-1 DP - University of Cape Town J1 - Journal of the International AIDS Society LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2011 T1 - Keeping health staff healthy: evaluation of a workplace initiative to reduce morbidity and mortality from HIV/AIDS in Malawi TI - Keeping health staff healthy: evaluation of a workplace initiative to reduce morbidity and mortality from HIV/AIDS in Malawi UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14876 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/14876
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1758-2652-14-1
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationBemelmans M, van den Akker T, Pasulani O, Tayub N, Hermann K, Mwagomba B, et al. Keeping health staff healthy: evaluation of a workplace initiative to reduce morbidity and mortality from HIV/AIDS in Malawi. Journal of the International AIDS Society. 2011; http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14876.en_ZA
dc.language.isoengen_ZA
dc.publisherBioMed Central Ltden_ZA
dc.publisher.departmentInstitute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicineen_ZA
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciencesen_ZA
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.rightsThis is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licenseen_ZA
dc.rights.holder2011 Bemelmans et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.en_ZA
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0en_ZA
dc.sourceJournal of the International AIDS Societyen_ZA
dc.source.urihttp://www.biomedcentral.com/1758-2652/en_ZA
dc.subject.otherViral diseasesen_ZA
dc.subject.otherHIVen_ZA
dc.subject.otherAIDSen_ZA
dc.subject.otherOccupational diseasesen_ZA
dc.subject.otherHospital workersen_ZA
dc.subject.otherStigmaen_ZA
dc.subject.otherHealth servicesen_ZA
dc.subject.otherHAARTen_ZA
dc.subject.otherMalawien_ZA
dc.titleKeeping health staff healthy: evaluation of a workplace initiative to reduce morbidity and mortality from HIV/AIDS in Malawien_ZA
dc.typeJournal Articleen_ZA
uct.type.filetypeText
uct.type.filetypeImage
uct.type.publicationResearchen_ZA
uct.type.resourceArticleen_ZA
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