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Stress and healthcare workers caring for people living with HIV/AIDS in Polokwane municipality clinics

Aim
Stress among healthcare workers (HCWs) working with HIV/AIDS patients is an
important deterrent to provision of services to HIV patients. The main aim of this study
was to determine the prevalence of stress levels among HCWs in Polokwane Municipality
HIV clinics.
Method
Forty-four HCWs in four different clinics completed a self administered questionnaire.
Questionnaire consisted of demographic info, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the AIDS
Stress scale and the stressors and rewards of HIV/AIDS work.
Results
The majority of the healthcare workers (HCWs) in this study were female (77%) and
married (64%). The biggest professional group were nurses (46%) followed by lay
counsellors (25%). The mean age of the HCWs was 39. The results of this study revealed
that half of the respondents (52%) had high level of emotional exhaustion and
depersonalization. A total of 27% of HCWs had moderate to severe AIDS stress as
measured by AIDS Stress Scale. An overwhelming majority (95%) of HCWs reported that
they enjoy their work with HIV/AIDS patients.
Conclusion
Despite the high levels of burnout, the majority of HCWs in the HIV clinics find
HIV/AIDS work rewarding. Workplace related stressors rather than the actual work with
HIV/AIDS patients is a major source of stress.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/10846
Date23 November 2011
CreatorsMalatji, Tumiso Amanda Phildah
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Formatapplication/pdf, application/pdf

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