| Summary: | Thesis (MPA (School of Public Management and Planning))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. === The role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in the HIV/AIDS Programme is directly
dependent on the support systems provided by nurses, NGOs, the community, institutional
frameworks, and government funding and stress management institutions. The Home-based
caregivers that work in the HIV/AIDS Programme are CHWs who need maximum support
from the above- mentioned institutions.
The community is also reeling with the aggravating consequences of HIV/AIDS. CHWs
play a role in trying to take care of the HIV patients within the home environment. People
are cared for by the people they associate with and people who live with them.
In order for CHWs to maximise their contribution to the HIV/AIDS Programme, there
should be commitment from all stakeholders involved in the programme. Forty-one people
from formal and non-formal structures took part in the study. The formal structures refer to
clinics and hospitals, whereas informal structures refer to Home-based care (HBC) groups,
volunteers, NGOs and international donor agencies. The study was conducted over a period
of eight weeks. The study was conducted at Cork, Calcutta and Mkhuhlu clinics, and
Mkhuhlu Home-based care and on USAID field officers.
The results of the study suggested that with support systems from the relevant institutions,
CHWs are able to carry their community obligations in an effective and efficient manner.
These findings have positive relationship implications towards the reduction of HIV
infections in the community. Hospitals that are faced with overcrowding also benefit in a
way, when terminally ill patients are cared for at HBC centres.
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