Abstract
D.Cur. (Psychiatric Nursing)
South Africa as a country has turned into a ‘melting pot’ for people seeking refuge from its neighbouring and other countries within the continent of Africa. This has negatively impacted the health system in terms of overstretching the limited health budget and resources meant for citizens within the country. Instead, the health system is compelled to accommodate unforeseen circumstances being faced with overwhelming challenges, in particular HIV/AIDS. South Africa is therefore, facing a serious challenge and harsh realities in terms of escalating HIV infections, exacerbated by the ‘stigma’ attached to HIV/AIDS. This condition continues to be a serious public health issue in terms of lacking a holistic approach (that is, emotional, social, spiritual, psychological, and physical wellbeing) for individuals. Such an approach is necessary for the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions of young women living with HIV in order to reduce their levels of internal and external stressors related to the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS.
I have observed that in most health facilities, people living with HIV who are going for consultation and intervention, more often than not, are given treatment as the primary objective, to try and manage HIV by health professionals. This includes the pre and post-HIV counselling which is usually done during the initial visit for Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT). There seems to be no sustainability for follow-up counselling or the promotion of mental health relating to their stressors as a result of the HIV status. These individuals are only given follow-up treatments consisting of medication and focusing on the side-effects of treatment.
Instead of extending questions to assess the mental state of individuals in relation to their HIV status, the cliché questions always asked of people living with HIV are: “medication o go tshwere bjang?” meaning: “how is the medication treating you?”…”are you experiencing any side-effects?”. They are then issued with the due supply of medication in haste, so as to see the next health care user or patient. Perhaps, this could be associated with staff shortage, attempts to manage long queues and time constraints, making it difficult for health care workers to practice...