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- ItemOpen Access
- ItemOpen AccessKnowledge and practices of primary care givers regarding care of diabetics at home(Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2010-06-28) Nyirenda, Wakhonderachi TemwekaThis study is about knowledge and practices of primary care givers in regards to care of diabetics at home. The objectives of the study are to: Assess the level of knowledge of primary care givers on care of diabetic clients at home, Identify the type of care given by the primary care givers at home, explore perceptions of primary care givers on care of diabetics at home and explore challenges faced by primary care when providing care to diabetics. The study will be qualitative in nature. In depth interviews using an interview guide will be conducted on 15 primary care givers who will escort their diabetes clients at Kamuzu Central Hospital (K. C.H.) diabetes clinic. Before data collection, a pilot study will be conducted at Queen Elizabeth central hospital (Q. E. C .H) diabetes clinic. Data will be analysed manually and category scheme will be used to come up with the main themes from the primary care givers knowledge and practices. Ethical considerations will be adhered to in order to ensure fair treatment of participants and also to avoid any form of harm to the participants.
- ItemOpen AccessKnowledge and practices of family care givers on infection prevention when caring for home based sick family members in Kawale Area, Lilongwe(Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2010-10-14) Mwandira, TerezaThe HIV prevalence rate in Malawi has resulted in patients with chronic illnesses being discharged for home based care where the family members play a major role in taking care of these patients with the assistance of the Home Based Care Volunteers. These family care givers can become exposed to infection like HIV when providing care to patients if they do not apply infection prevention procedures. This descriptive quantitative study will specifically aim at assessing the knowledge of the family care givers, the practice, and factors that promote or hinder the practice of family care givers from practicing on infection prevention. The study will be conducted at Kawale catchment area, in Lilongwe District. The participants will be 15 women family care givers. Data will be collected through an interview and analyzed manually using content analysis.
- ItemOpen AccessA study on knowledge, attitudes and practice towards positive living among women attending art clinic at Balaka District Hospital.(Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2008-12-04) Mataya, AliceLiving positively requires some basic support: access to health information and services, good nutrition, therapeutic counselling, advice about how to support your family into the future, including children who may be orphaned and some home-based care for those who have eventually become weakened and sick. Also, critically needed is access to treatment i.e. antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). If appropriately prescribed, properly taken and supported by a healthy style, ARVs can massively prolong the health and wellbeing of people who are HIV positive. However, there has been problems in following positive living which was evidenced by drug incompliance among HIV positive women at Balaka District Hospital. The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes and practice towards positive living among women attending ART clinic. A qualitative study using in depth interviews was conducted and a convenient sample of 10 women was recruited at Balaka district hospital. Data was analysed manually after developing codes which were grouped to form themes. The findings show that almost all participants knew positive living and the activities which are involved in it though not all activities were mentioned during discussion. All participants expressed their willingness to live positively since they know the importance. The participants practice positive living by eating nutritious diet, taking ARVs everyday and practicing safe sex. The study has also shown that shortage of adequate food and distance hinders participants from practicing positive living. Based on the study findings, the following recommendations are made: It is recommended that the hospital should provide supplementary food to people living with HIV and AIDS that have problems finding food and the government should consider establishment of ART clinics in distant areas of more than 5km away from the hospital among others.
- ItemOpen AccessKnowledge, practices and perceptions of caregivers of clients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS on home based care.(Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2009-12-04) Kulanga, MercyThis descriptive qualitative research was conducted to establish and determine the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of caregivers with clients diagnosed of HIV and AIDS on home based care. The prevalence of HIV infections are increasing world wide and Literature shows that 2.2 million people were living with the virus at the end of 2007 and 1.9 million individuals are being infected every year. In the health sector this has contributed to congestion in hospitals, premature discharges, poor quality of care and inadequate resources. These are not conducive to speedy recovery and in view of these mentioned issues the government has extended care giving in the community where caregivers take lead, therefore the need for conducting the study. Theory of reasoned action by Ajzen and Fishbein was the theoretical framework that was used to guide the study. It takes into account that caregivers behavior is determined by their behavioral intention to perform it ant the intention is determined by the persons attitude and subjective norms to perform the behavior. It is an essential tool for determining people's attitude and practices towards patients with HIV and AIDS. Data was collected using a structured interview guide and convenient sampling was used. The guide was interpreted in local language for proper communication. Data was analyzed manually and results were presented using bar graphs and pie charts. The results of the study have shown that the care givers are meeting with problems that are influencing care giving in area 25 Home Based Care where the study was done. These problems include: social economic, psychological and physical problems. It is quite clear that these caregivers need more assistance and trainings to update their knowledge. The results of the study may be included to nursing education curriculum so as to equip nursing students with care givers knowledge, perceptions and practices towards patients with HIV and AIDS on home based care. Government can benefit from these results by adopting the recommendations hence improving caregiver's knowledge, practices and perceptions hence promoting health of the nation.