Ndyanabangi BA, Makuti M, Gonani A, Macheso A, Kinoti S, Shongwe S; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. MoPeE3998.
Management Sciences for Health, Arlington Virginia, United States
Background: Little data exists on the impact of HIV/AIDS on health workforce in Africa. In 2003 an assessment of the impact of HIV/AIDS on HWF was undertaken to provide data on human resource capacity and needs for scaling up response to HIV/AIDS. Objectives: To determine health workforce attrition by cause; influence of HIV/AIDS on workload and performance of HWF; current human resource development and management practices and make relevant recommendations for filling the identified gaps. Methodology: Primary data was collected from national, tertiary, and selected districts in ministry of health and Christian Association facilities using in depth interviews, observation, review of records and focus group discussions. Results: Malawi has 15% HIV prevalence with 739,000 PWA, of which 2000 are health workers. HIV/AIDS has led to increased disease burden with >50% HIV/AIDS related admissions in medical wards and increased workload and bed occupancy rates ranging from 59% to 162%. Death (48%), resignations (38%), early retirement (9%) and leaving the services of MOH are major causes of attrition. A total of 75 HW left clinical service for non-clinical work in the six selected districts, and of these 95% were nurses, 46% aged 30-39. Fear of HIV/AIDS infection and related opportunistic infections like TB, Hepatitis B and skin conditions contributed to poor performance. Motivation and morale are low. Risk of infection seen as high by 9 of 10 health managers Absenteeism due to illness and attending funerals was a major problem. 81% of HWF indicated that stigma was a major concern. HIV/AIDS policies, guidelines and care protocols are lacking. Conclusions: HIV/AIDS has impaired the HWF capacity to scale up services in Malawi. There is urgent need to strengthen human resources to meet the service needs through addressing HIV and AIDS related impacts, systems related problems and improving workforce management.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Africa
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health
- Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
- Health Personnel
- Health Policy
- Health Services Needs and Demand
- Humans
- Malawi
- Prevalence
- manpower
Other ID:
UI: 102280284
From Meeting Abstracts