Home Based Care For HIV/AIDS in The Agogo Sub District

Abstract

AIDS is now a major cause o f morbidity and mortality in most Sub-Saharan African countries, in the absence of a cure, many adults suffer long chronic illness, medical services already inadequate are over stretched. Many hospitals are unable to deal with the huge caseload o f patients with HIV/AIDS, this has necessitated strategies for AIDS management that combines Home-based care (HBC) with hospital intervention where required. The form that a HBC programme takes depends on the socio-cultural system prevailing in the area. This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and practices o f home-based care community volunteers, in- family caregivers o f people living with HIV/AIDS, and family members without AIDS in eight communities with a home-based care programme in the Agogo sub district o f the Ashanti Region o f Ghana. The study further examined community participation in the home-based care programme and the effect o f the program m e on the lives o f people living with H IV /A ID S. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to elicit information from participants. Thirty-two participants formed the Focus Group Discussion, while sixtyfive people w ere involved in the survey. In-depth interviews w ere held w ith the coordinators o f the hom e-base care pro gram m e and people living with H IV /A ID S. The study found an increase in know ledge and positive attitude tow ards people living with HIV/AIDS amongst HBC community volunteers and in-family caregivers; this had translated into a change in sexual behaviour. Family members without AIDS had average knowledge and negative attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS, fewer o f them had changed sexual behaviour. Although the co m m u nities’ sense o f ow nership o f the H B C program m e w as rather low, PLWHA who have accessed the HBC programme have free medical care and feel less stigmatised. The study recommends that government integrate home-based care into existing activities for HIV/AIDS in other to overcome social barriers to care, and to serve as a source of information, education, and communication on HIV/AIDS.