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Abstract
Role of communities in care and support to people living with AIDS in Thyolo, Malawi
L M Buhendwa, R Zachariah, S Labana
MSF_LUX/MALAWI, Blantyre, Malawi
Issues:
Malawi is one of the worst HIV and AIDS affected country in the world creating an ever-increasing burden on existing health services and communities. In a rural district, a dynamic has been created and volunteers at community level are playing major roles in caring for people living with AIDS(PLWAs), providing counselling, fighting stigma and disseminating information.
Description:
Volunteers were recruited and trained with active community participation and are directly in charge of almost one thousand AIDS patients. They are equipped with a kit containing essential drugs, supportive material for care and nutritional screening tapes. They perform Supportive counselling, formal referral, tracing and surveillance system in the community.
Advocacy by volunteers, governments and private agencies, religious and spiritual groups, combined with activities of care and support encourage PLWAs to be open about their status.The volunteer network in Thyolo has also catalized local community responses, leading to income generating and orphan care activities and facilitated an environment for effective HIV prevention and care.
Lessons learned:
Over 995 AIDS cases receive care and support from a total of 160 volunteers supervised by 2 nurses and one doctor. Since prevention and care had been introduced in this home based care,the morbidity rate reduced from 50% to 15% and the mortality rate from 35% to 8%.
30 % of all the patients suffer of malnutrition with body mass index <17.
The stigma begins to disappear and the much nedeed solidarity for PLWas begin to emerge. Coalition efforts against stigmatisation and discrimination lead to adequate psychological support and a positive attitude, which improved the quality and length of life among the PLWAs.
Recommendations:
In a rural setting of Malawi, an integrated, community based approach to care and support for PLWAs can improve the quality of life and reduce the overall social impact of the epidemic.
The XIV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
TuOrF1254
Suggested Citation
" L M Buhendwa, et al.
Role of communities in care and support to people living with AIDS in Thyolo, Malawi
.
Oral Abstract:
The XIV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
TuOrF1254"
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