Original Research

HIV-positive patients’ perceptions of care received at a selected antiretroviral therapy clinic in Vhembe district, South Africa

Tshifhiwa V. Ndou, Sonto M. Maputle, Patrone R. Risenga
African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine | Vol 8, No 2 | a926 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v8i2.926 | © 2016 Tshifhiwa V. Ndou, Sonto M. Maputle, Patrone R. Risenga | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 27 July 2015 | Published: 26 April 2016

About the author(s)

Tshifhiwa V. Ndou, Department of Advanced Nursing, University of Venda, South Africa
Sonto M. Maputle, Department of Advanced Nursing, University of Venda, South Africa
Patrone R. Risenga, Department of Health Studies, University of South Africa, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Patients’ experiences are a reflection of what has happened during the care process and, therefore, provide information about the performance of health care professional workers. They refer to the process of care provision at the antiretroviral therapy (ART) sites.

Aim and setting: This article explored the perceptions of HIV-positive patients of care received at the Gateway Clinic of the regional hospital that provides antiretroviral treatment in the Vhembe district.

Methods: A qualitative, explorative and descriptive design was used. A non-probability, convenient sampling method was used to select 20 HIV-positive patients who were above 18 years of age. In-depth individual interviews were used to collect data. Data were analysed through Tech’s open coding method.

Results: One theme and two sub-themes emerged, namely positive experiences related to the environment and attitudes of health professionals, and negative experiences concerning the practices by health care providers.

Conclusion: Patients’ perceptions of quality of, and satisfaction with, health care may affect health outcomes. Recommendations are made to consider, practice and strengthen the protocols, the standard operating procedures and the principles of infection control in the health facilities.

Keywords: Human Immunodeficiecy Virus, Antiretroviral Treatment, HIV positive, Limpopo


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Crossref Citations

1. Patients’ recommendations for a patient-centred public antiretroviral therapy programme in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal
Delarise M. Mulqueeny, Myra Taylor
Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine  vol: 18  issue: 1  year: 2017  
doi: 10.4102/sajhivmed.v18i1.677