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Registered nurses' perceptions regarding nurse‐led antiretroviral therapy initiation in Hhohho region, Swaziland
Author(s) -
MavhanduMudzusi A.H.,
Sandy P.T.,
Hettema A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international nursing review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.84
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1466-7657
pISSN - 0020-8132
DOI - 10.1111/inr.12375
Subject(s) - nursing , medicine , qualitative research , certification , health care , family medicine , social science , sociology , political science , law , economics , economic growth
Background Swaziland has the highest HIV prevalence globally. It faces a critical shortage of health workers for addressing the HIV pandemic. To curb this human resource challenge, Swaziland adopted a nurse‐driven model for antiretroviral therapy delivery in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization on task shifting. Objective The study explored the perceptions of registered nurses on the nurse‐led antiretroviral therapy initiation programme in the Hhohho region of Swaziland ( NARTIS ). Design The study utilized a phenomenological design, specifically a phenomenographic design. Setting The study was conducted in ten health facilities in the Hhohho region of Swaziland. These facilities comprised eight clinics, a hospital and a health centre. Participants These were registered nurses, trained and certified in the nurse‐led antiretroviral therapy initiation programme. The nurses also had experience of working in a nurse‐led antiretroviral therapy initiation programme. Eighteen (18) nurses were purposively selected and recruited to participate in the study. Methods Data were collected through open and deep individual interviews guided by a semi‐structured interview schedule. The audio‐recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically using Sjöström and Dahlgren's approach to data analysis. Results Three major themes emerged from the study data: nurses' emotional reactions to the implementation of the NARTIS programme, and influences and overcoming barriers to the programme. Conclusions The study findings have generated insights into this program which is useful for the provision of care to people living with HIV / AIDS in Swaziland. But nurses need support to ensure effective implementation. Implication for nursing and health policy The study findings have implications for both the practice of the NARTIS programme and health policy development. The development of a health policy that alleviates the barriers to the NARTIS programme can enhance nurses' role and make care provision to people living with HIV / AIDS more effective.