| |
Community and Home-based Care for CAA:
Community Home-base Care is an approach in which people
living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA), Children Affected wth AIDS(CAA),
Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and their families
are cared for by their community, in their community. It
includes provision of care and support to PLHA in their
home and the facilitation and formation of community initiatives
and structures that provide access to HIV/AIDS care and
support services.
Why CHBC?
1. HIV infection results in a long term illness and most
PLHA prefer to stay in their community and to
access services within it.
2. Many HIV related illnesses can be managed at home if
the family receives adequate support.
3. It empowers families and the community to take control
of HIV/AIDS care and support of community
members.
4. It reduces HIV related stigma and discrimination significantly
and assists PLHA and their families to
participate freely in community activities.
5. PLHA and the families gain psychologically to confidently
lead a constructive life
6. It reduces the chance of contracting hospital-related
infections.
7. It is more sustainable and cost effective than institutional
care and reduces the burden on hospital
services.
Components of an effective community home-based
care delivery system
The essential components of community home-based care are:
A. Medical and Nursing care
B. Psychosocial support
C. Socioeconomic support
D. Human rights and legal support
Community and home-based care programs are in a unique position,
being closest to the family, to ensure that the family can
access the full range of HIV/AIDS care and support services
that they require. They are not responsible for all aspects
of care and support of families affected by HIV/AIDS, but
need to supplement and complement existing services.
CHBC programs need to be aware of the existing resources
and services that are available in their community and assist
the families that they care for to access the full range
of services. In this way, it is not necessary for CHBC to
duplicate already-existing services but to act as a facilitator
to assist families to find what they need and to assist
external services to better support families affected by
HIV/AIDS. In this way they contribute to the provision of
continuum of care and support services for PLHA.
The main thrust of community home-based care is to work
with the community to identify and mobilize the resources
that the community can bring to the care and support of
families affected by HIV/AIDS and to create an environment
in the community that allows families affected by HIV/AIDS
to participate fully in the life of the community. Effective
community home-based care projects will also have HIV prevention
outcomes for the community as they encourage people with
risk behaviors or with symptoms related to HIV to opt for
voluntary testing and counseling (VCT) services. PLHA are
also supported and encouraged to adopt less risky behavior
to decrease the chances of onward transmission of HIV.
|
|
