Emerging Challenge of HI VIAl OS Care to Health Institutions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2000-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This is a cross-sectional survey conducted to describe the challenges and needs of Region 14 HCWs
and hea lth institutions towards HIY/AIDS patient care. Self administered questionnaire was used to
describe HCW's attitude, risk perception , practice and perceived needs & sources of
informationlknowledge on HIV/AIDS care and three other survey instruments were also used to
assess the avai lability of diagnostic facilities and pharmaceutical supplies for HIV/AIDS patient
care. The study was conducted in all the five hospital and half of the health centers under the
Region 14 Health Bureau from August 1999 to 2000. Three hundred and one HCWs completed selfadministered
questiormaires. Forty-two percent (127) of the study participants were physicians,
while, 57.8 % (175) were nurses. Data were entered into and analyzed using EPI-info sta tistical
software program. The majority of the HCWs perceive themselves to be at great risk of acquiring
HIV-infection. But significant proportion of the staff working at the high-r isk zones reported not
practicing the universal precaution. The majority of the HeWs were found to have favorable
attitude towards patients with HIV\AIDS. But HCWs also expressed their discomfor1 in the
different types of contact with HTV\AIDS patients care activities. Significant percentage of treating
HCWs showed perceived needs & sources of informationlknowledge on HIV/AIDS .Tests for
funga l infection were the least available and drugs for fungal infection, skin diseases and CNS
conditions were also fowld to be scarce. Potent analgesics like codeine and other re lated drugs
needed for terminally sick patients were also found to be low. In-service training of the HCWs and
improving their access to sources of information/knowledge on HlV\AIDS care especially on areas
of universal precaution, care is critically recommended. Improving the provision of equipments
and supplies for HIY-infection control especially protective clothing and the availability of anti
fungal drugs, potent analgesics, drugs for skin diseases &CNS drugs needed for HIYIAIDS cases is
also recommended,
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Keywords
Emerging Challenge of HIV /AlOS Care to Health Institutions