South Africa has the highest prevalence of HIV infection in the world. Poverty, poor access to basic amenities and health care, limited information, and limited capacity in communities all exacerbate vulnerability to HIV. The Community Home Based Care HIV and AIDS project increases community care and support to people infected (PLHA) and affected by HIV and AIDS and support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in their psychosocial, economic and educational needs.
Care and support activities include the provision of home based care, psychosocial and economic support and strengthening of the care network. Communities will be sensitised through community health education activities, and advocacy for support for PLHA and OVC promoting their rights, and addressing the health, social and stigma issues associated with HIV and AIDS.
Project Objective
The overall objective of the project is to reduce the vulnerability of the most disadvantaged communities to HIV and AIDS and other related diseases. HIV and AIDS has had the greatest impact on the communities who endure high rates of poverty, low levels of education and poor access to health and social services amongst other hardships.
The project contributes to reducing the vulnerability of these communities to HIV and AIDS and related diseases by, improving access to health care and treatment, improving the knowledge of HIV and AIDS, reducing stigma, improving the psychosocial and economic circumstances and building capacity in these communities.
This project’s strength lies in its community centred approach in assisting the most vulnerable and the provision of community home based care through a community volunteer network. The project provides for many vulnerable people the link between providing support at household level to accessing support at community and institutional level. The project provides support not only to people living with HIV and OVC but also to their family and caregivers.
Stigma and inadequate knowledge still play a major role in increasing the vulnerability of affected communities resulting in continued high rates of new infections and the isolation of PLHA. The community health education and promotion activities and the promotion of the rights of PLHA in this project seek to complement the home based care elements of this project to influence a better environment.
It is important that the devastating affects of HIV on the social fabric of the affected communities be countered by interventions that do improve the quality of life. The objectives of this integrated CHBC response will improve family and social values and dignity, the lives of the infected will be prolonged and their well being improved, and the future of the children will be better protected.
Project activities include:
- Teaching the primary caregivers in the home and family members' basic nursing care, emergency measures, supervision of taking medication, including anti-retroviral treatment and treatment for TB.
- Assistance with basic nursing care of the client, particularly where there is no primary caregiver. Facilitating the referral of clients for clinical management of opportunistic infections and pain management through well function referral systems with clinics and hospitals in the area.
- Promotion of hygiene, nutrition and infection control (particularly universal precautions) in the home.
- Counselling, emotional and spiritual support to the client and family and facilitating referrals to formal counselling services and faith based organisations.
- Providing some emergency relief through the provision of food parcels, blankets and clothing.
- Facilitating the process of receiving government grants where applicable.
- Supporting the establishment of small food gardens in the home setting for additional nutritional support.
- The establishment of Support Groups for PLHA and OVC are facilitated by the project.
- Community sensitisation to OVC and establish Community OVC Care Committees
- Ensure networking with other service providers for support of OVC.
- Provide home based care visits and support to OVC
- Promote and support of community day crèches for OVC
- Ensure educational support to enable OVC school attendance
- Mother and child psychosocial activities (e.g. Memory Box)
- Support OVC Life Skills development
- Provide health education and HIV awareness
- Promote the Prevention of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV (PMTCT) and Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT).
- Anti-stigma activities and promotion of the rights of PLHA and OVC
- Promotion and distribution of male and female condoms
- Support for PLHA and OVC with disclosure and in cases of discrimination
Community Home Based Care
The project will use an integrated Community Home Based Care approach which links service providers with the clients/ OVC and their families to ensure a continuum of care. Integrated CHBC promotes and supports collaboration between the different components of the continuum of care including Government structures such as hospitals, clinics, VCT and PMTCT centres, social welfare and local government; non-governmental organisations, community and faith based organisations; the community itself and community caregivers such as Red Cross Volunteer Caregivers and the family.
As a community home based care response to HIV the project works to strengthen the capacities of communities and individuals to address not only health and care needs of people living with HIV but also the support needs of families and communities affected by the virus. It works to reduce stigma, increase awareness of HIV and support the orphans and vulnerable children affected by the impact of the pandemic.
The project framework includes the core elements of addressing HIV - prevention, care and stigma reduction, building on elements of community and service provision. This strategy will contribute towards a reduction in new infections and support those infected and affected by the virus.
Click here to view the Regional Red Cross OVC Strategy