An historical analysis of the HIV/AIDS training of health care workers in the Western Cape, 1989-2004

Date
2007-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The conventional view is that HIV/AIDS training organisations simply provide training to health care workers, and have no other role in the genesis and ongoing HIV/AIDS narrative. Thus, researchers have given this area little attention. With the emergence of the epidemic, training organisations have become a central constituent of HIV I AIDS responses. While they are at the forefront of much of the innovative action research in the field, little of this experience is documented. Training organisations are thus significant new sources of information about the disease. The goal of this study is to conduct an historical examination of HIV/AIDS training of health care workers in the Western Cape from 1989-2004 in order to contribute to a better understanding of this unrecorded history. By analysing how HIV/AIDS training was constructed and conducted in terms of the shifts in training content and methodology and organizational issues, links to wider historical factors were established. This study is based on qualitative historical research methods, and utilizes primary sources, secondary sources, and oral history. This analysis showed that there were significant changes in the HIV/AIDS training narratives during the period under review. The changes accord roughly with the time periods: 1989-1994, 1995-1998, 1998, and 1999-2004. These changes are discussed and analysed in terms of the underlying historical, political, socio-economic, cultural, and gender factors. The HIV/AIDS training of health care workers was intricately linked to the massive historical changes in the country during this period. It is concluded that HIV/AIDS training organisations are significant new sources of information. The depth and breadth of the information and the dynamic exchange of information between patients, health care workers, and trainers opened up fresh historiographical questions. This study fills important historiographical lacunae. The need for continued historical research in this area is highlighted. This study surmises that the critical historical perspective is valuable for the development of ongoing HIV/AIDS training and management.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die konvensionele siening is <lat MIV /vigsopleidingsorganisasies slegs gesondheidsorgwerkers oplei en geen antler rol in die ontstaan en deurlopende MIV /vigs-narratief speel nie. Gevolglik het navorsers tot dusver min aandag aan hierdie area geskenk. Met die verskyning van die epidemie het opleidingsorganisasies 'n sentrale deel van MIV/vigs-reaksies geword. Hierdie organisasies is aan die spits van 'n groot deel van die innoverende aksienavorsing in die veld, maar min bevindinge word gedokumenteer. Opleidingsorganisasies is dus belangrike nuwe bronne van inligting oor die siekte. Die doel van hierdie studie is 'n historiese bestudering van MIV/vigs-opleiding vir gesondheidsorgwerkers in die Wes-Kaap (1989-2004). Dit word gedoen om 'n bydrae te lewer tot 'n beter begrip van hierdie onopgetekende geskiedenis. Deur die ontleding van hoe MIV /vigs-opleiding saamgestel en uitgevoer is ten opsigte van die skuiwe in opleidingsinhoud, opleidingsmetodologie en organisatoriese kwessies, is skakels met wyer historiese kwessies bewerkstellig. Hierdie studie is op kwalitatiewe historiese navorsingsmetodes gegrond en maak gebruik van primere en sekondere bronne asook mondelinge geskiedenis. Die ontleding het getoon <lat daar beduidende veranderinge in die MIV/vigsopleidingsnarratiewe was in die tydperk wat die studie uitgevoer is. Die veranderinge stem min of meer ooreen met die tydperk 1989-1994, 1995-1998, 1998, en 1999-2004. Hierdie veranderinge wo.rd ten opsigte van die onderliggende historiese, politieke, sosio-ekonomiese, kulturele en gender-faktore bespreek en ontleed. Die MIV /vigs-opleiding van gesondheidsorgwerkers is nou verbind met die belangrike historiese veranderinge wat in hierdie tydperk in die land plaasgevind het. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak <lat MIV /vigsopleidingsorganisasies belangrike nuwe inligtingsbronne is. Die omvang van die inligting en die dinamiese uitruil van inligting tussen pasiente, gesondheidsorgwerkers en opleiers het nuwe vrae oor geskiedskrywing na vore laat tree. Hierdie studie vul belangrike leemtes in geskiedskrywing en die behoefte aan voortdurende historiese navorsing in hierdie area word beklemtoon. In hierdie studie word die vermoede uitgespreek <lat die kritiese historiese perspektief waardevol is vir die ontwikkeling van voortdurende MIV /vigsopleiding en -bestuur.
Description
Dissertation (DPhil) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2007.
Keywords
Medical personnel -- Training of -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Health care teams -- Training of -- South Africa -- Western cape, AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Dissertations -- History
Citation