Abstract #12 - COMMUNITY NURSING INITIATIVE, TAKING SERVICES CLOSER TO PEOPLE WITH HIV/AIDS. A TASO EXPERIENCE
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Session: 26.12: Posters B (Poster) on Tuesday in Chaired by
Authors: Presenting Author: Mr Bennet kizito Joseph - The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) , Uganda
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Additional Authors:
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Aim: At least 64.3% of TASO clients have to travel more than 10kms each time they are going to the nearest TASO center for Medical, material or Psycho-Social support.
Considering that 75% of these clients are too poor with no regular source of income at all, returning for services at TASO becomes difficult. TASO Home Based Care initiative recruits former Public service or private nurses who live within the community to serve a radius of 5km around them.
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Method / Issue: These nurses have basic nursing training from recognized institutions and are;
Identified by the community
Trained by TASO in
o HIV/AIDS care and counseling
o Palliative care
o Principles and practice of ART
They provide (to TASO clients in their community)
o Home based care to bedridden clients
o Pain and symptom management
o Counseling
Monitor and reinforce adherence to
o ART
o TB treatment
o Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis
Monitor and give first aid treatment for side effects
Refer clients to Health Centers, TASO clinic or Government Hospitals
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Results / Comments: Seven out of 10 TASO centers have recruited at least 10 community nurses each, starting from April 2004
1) 9,014 medical sessions were conducted in 8 months by these nurses
2) 4,426 clients were treated in that period and at least 54% have come back for more
than three visits
3) Over 60% of these clients are within 21km and more from the nearest TASO center
4) Common conditions treated are :
Suspected Malaria (38%), Diarrhoeria (8%), URTI (6%) , Oral candidiasis (5%).
Cotrimoxazole prophlaxis Refill (29%) is also carried out
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Discussion: 1) Monthly refills and follow-ups of clients on Anti-TB and Septrin drugs is easy
2) Bedridden and weak clients can easily be helped
3) It reduces transport costs and time for clients from far distances hence more visits for support
4) Monthly supervision and support to atleast 10 nurses where distances are more than 30 km is a challenge
5) Data collection both by the Nurses from clients and secretariat from Nurses
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1) Community nursing is a very appropriate strategy mainly where service points are far
from communities.
2) Community nursing is cost effective to clients since most opportunistic infections can easily be handled by the nurse
3) Strengthen community initiative for more comprehensive management of DOTS
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