Perceptions of the MDT towards the health needs and support for grandparents caring for AIDS orphans.

Background: The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) crisis has orphaned many children, shifting care giving duties to grandparents. This has challenged the health of the grandparents, underscoring the need for support in caring for both the grandparents and the children orphaned due to AIDS.

Aim: This study investigated the multidisciplinary team's (MDT) perceptions of health needs and support for grandparents caring for children orphaned due to AIDS.

PrEP discontinuation, cycling, and risk: Understanding the dynamic nature of PrEP use among female sex workers in South Africa.

PrEP cycling among women is thought to be safe when there are distinct "seasons of risk." However, cyclical PrEP use over short periods may be associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition. We aimed to characterize key social ecological factors contributing toward PrEP cycling among female sex workers (FSW) in the context of high HIV risk.

ART coverage and viral suppression among female sex workers living with HIV in eThekwini, South Africa: Baseline findings from the Siyaphambili study.

In South Africa >60% of female sex workers (FSW) are living with HIV, the majority of whom are not virally suppressed. Identifying multi-level determinants of viral suppression is central to developing implementation strategies to promote retention in HIV care and viral suppression among FSW with unmet treatment needs. Adult cisgender FSW living with HIV for ≥6 months, conducting sex work as their primary source of income, and residing in Durban (South Africa) were enrolled into the Siyaphambili Study, a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial.

Development of a conceptual framework for teaching-learning of spiritual care in nursing education.

Background:  Conceptual frameworks are not only necessary for maintaining and preserving nursing knowledge through their unique contribution, but they also assist in the organisation and provision of complex nursing interventions. The lack of formal integration of spiritual care in health professions' education is blamed on the unavailability of guiding models among other challenges such as unavailability of relevant theories.

Objectives:  The objective of this article was to describe the process followed to develop a conceptual framework as the basis for a practice theory for teaching-learning of spiritual care in nursing.

Estimating the mortality risk correcting for high loss to follow-up among female sex workers with HIV in Durban, South Africa, 2018-2021.

Purpose: This study assesses risk factors of loss to follow-up (LTFU) and estimates mortality risk among female sex workers (FSW) with HIV in Durban, South Africa, in 2018-2021.

Methods: We used data from the Siyaphambili trial, which evaluated strategies for improved viral suppression. FSW with HIV aged ≥ 18 years with viral load ≥ 50 copies/mL were followed up for 18 months.

HIV- and sex work-related stigmas and quality of life of female sex workers living with HIV in South Africa: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Environmental quality of life (QoL) assesses individually perceived factors such as physical safety and security, accessibility, quality of healthcare, and physical environment. These factors are particularly relevant in the context of sex work and HIV, where stigma has been identified as an important barrier across several prevention and treatment domains. This study aims to examine the association between different types of HIV- and sex work-related stigmas and environmental QoL among female sex workers (FSW) living with HIV in Durban, South Africa.

Opportunities and considerations for the design of decentralized delivery of antiretroviral therapy for female sex workers living with HIV in South Africa.

Background: In South Africa, 60% of female sex workers (FSW) are living with HIV, many of whom experience structural and individual barriers to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and adherence. Community-based decentralized treatment provision (DTP) may mitigate these barriers. To characterize optimal implementation strategies, we explored preferences for DTP among FSW living with HIV in Durban, South Africa.

Perceptions of nurses on TB with HIV adherence counselling skills in a health sub-district, Cape Town: A qualitative study.

Background: People living with HIV (PLHIV) co-infected with Tuberculosis (TB) account for one in three HIV-related deaths. Retention in care and adherence to medication remain key behaviours that PLHIV co-infected with TB must adopt to achieve better health outcomes. Nevertheless, TB with HIV adherence-counselling services provided by nurses designed to enhance these behaviours remain inadequate.

Barriers to the management of children under five exposed to HIV in the rural areas of South Africa.

Background: South Africa has made enormous progress in reducing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), however, MTCT and AIDS related death persist among children particularly in the rural areas. Lack of adherence to health policies and guidelines implementation remain one of the contributory factors to poor management of HIV-exposed children. Hence, the need to deeply explore the complexity of the problems and understand the barriers to the management of HIV exposed children in the rural areas.

Facilitators and barriers to incorporating digital technologies into HIV care among cisgender female sex workers living with HIV in South Africa.

Background: An estimated 44-69% of female sex workers (FSW) in South Africa are living with HIV, among whom 39% are virally suppressed. Digital technologies-increasingly advanced and accessible to marginalized populations-present new opportunities to improve the HIV care continuum. The objective of this study was to explore potential facilitators and barriers to incorporating mobile phones and advanced technologies (e.

Occupational barriers to accessing and adhering to antiretroviral therapy for female sex workers living with HIV in South Africa.

Objectives: While female sex workers (FSW) are nearly 14 times more likely to be living with HIV than non-FSW, less than 40% of FSW living with HIV are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). We sought to understand how the work environment influences ART access and adherence for FSW in preparation for the Siyaphambili trial.

Methods: FSW living with HIV (n=24) and key informants (n=15) were recruited to participate in semistructured in-depth interviews using maximum variation and snowball sampling, respectively.

Coping with Maternal Deaths: The Experiences of Midwives.

Background: Life is said to be meaningful only when the individual is able to cope with challenges associated with it. Challenges at the workplace, whether physical, psychological or social, all contribute to occupational trauma. Coping with the challenges of work is an important part of achieving occupational wellbeing, irrespective of how difficult the job may be.

Siyaphambili protocol: An evaluation of randomized, nurse-led adaptive HIV treatment interventions for cisgender female sex workers living with HIV in Durban, South Africa.

In South Africa, 60% of female sex workers are estimated to be living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Many of these women face structural and individual-level barriers to initiating, accessing, and adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART). While data are limited, it is estimated that less than 40% of sex workers living with HIV achieve viral suppression, leading to suboptimal clinical outcomes and sustained risks of onward sexual and vertical HIV transmission.

Nurses' Knowledge of Tuberculosis, HIV, and Integrated HIV/TB Care Policies in Rural Western Cape, South Africa.

HIV and tuberculosis (TB) co-infection remain the leading causes of mortality in many developing countries. Several policies for their prevention and management exist; however, progress to meet the World Health Organization's indicators is slow. As nurses in rural areas are the main health care professionals responsible for the implementation of policies, questions arose about nursing knowledge regarding TB and HIV policies.

Students' voices on spiritual care at a Higher Education Institution in the Western Cape.

Background: Nurses have a moral obligation to ensure holistic care of patients, inclusive of the spiritual dimension. However, there seems to be a void in the teaching and learning of spiritual care in nursing curricula. Despite the South African Nursing Council being in favour of holistic nursing, there are no measures in place to ensure implementation of spiritual care, hence its practice is not standardised in nursing education in South Africa.

HIV and AIDS stigma violates human rights in five African countries.

The situation and human rights of people living with HIV and AIDS were explored through focus groups in five African countries (Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland and Tanzania). A descriptive qualitative research design was used. The 251 informants were people living with HIV and AIDS, and nurse managers and nurse clinicians from urban and rural settings.