Successful support group example 25

The use of a group has a particular advantage because groups are therapeutic, economic, provide mutual support and therefore make the best use of limited resources available. The important requirements for the group to succeed are trust, containment and sharing of feelings or help people to cope with traumatic experiences (Baumann, 2007:617). Universities in South Africa and the Department of Health developed successful support groups which are stable and well organised. These following are the successful support groups:

26  THE FACES AND VOICES OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS IN SOUTH AFRICA.

This group has various strategies to encourage positive living with HIV (Department of Health, 2003:1). It is emphasizing the importance of communication. By communicating they express who they are, their feelings, thoughts, emotions, fears, hopes, and dreams. They also explain that they are the faces and voices of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. (Department of health, 2003:1).They put an emphasis on peer education which is relevant to the nursing college as they visit the neighbouring communities and schools conducting campaigns. The undergraduate nursing students do not present themselves until it is too late. The demand of the four year programme is a contributory factor because even the scheduled monthly meetings are sometimes not attended and peer education is not stable.

The PLWHA support group advise the group about planning before communicating their status, the communication barriers, good listening skills, which leads to good communication when dealing with sensitive issues around HIV/AIDS for example disclosing or counselling (Department of Health, 2003:4). Support groups exists for new learning in different ways of coping which seem to have worked for others Baumann, (2007:618).

The nursing college support group members invite speakers from outside the college to address undergraduate nursing students about any relevant topic for example the importance of HCT and coping strategies for PLWHA. There are no training facilities for support group members.

 TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY (TUT)

This university has an executive management structure in place that drives the mainstreaming process, namely the HIV Co-ordinating Committee (HICC). This committee has Terms of Reference according to sector recommendations (HEAIDS, 2010:124). The nursing college support group members join the group voluntarily without any conditions.

27 TUT provides a wide range of HIV prevention services (with a strong focus of living

positively with HIV/AIDS) which include Rapid and confirmatory HIV testing, walk-in HIV testing facility, individual and counselling, rape counselling, referral for TB testing and directly observed treatment for students of TB treatment, partner notification through a small slip of paper inviting the partner to visit the service. (If a partner is not a student, the slip will be a referral note to another service), STI diagnosis and treatment, nutritional supplements and Bactrim, referral for HIV management, ARVS and CD4 count (HEAIDS, 2010:124). The nursing college support group is not that well organised and there are no facilities. It also needs continuity of healthcare services.

Port Elizabeth group offers a broader student community. HCT and managerial staff are in one building to encourage integration of facilities and enhanced channels of communication. This has negative unintended consequences which may include role confusion and increased vulnerability of confidentiality information and neglect of structured support for Port Elizabeth in favour of an open-door policy. (HEADS, 2010; 127). This is not applicable to the nursing college support group due to lack of facilities.

Port Elizabeth support group recruit volunteer students who reflect the diversity of the TUT student population. HIV status is never used as a criterion for admission. However, volunteer students are expected to have at least some knowledge of HIV, have good interpersonal and communication skills, as well as good academic record (HEAIDS; 2010:127). The nursing college is voluntary with no conditions.

Port Elizabeth support group is exposed to an array of training opportunities that equip them with a range of skills. Their active involvement in student life affords them an opportunity to use and refine these. Unfortunately, there is no training offered for the support group members of the nursing college (HEAIDS, 2010:127).

HIV prevention, care, cognitive, behavioural, spiritual, and psychological aspects of student wellness are emphasised during their HCT services. TUT report that a doctor attend the session once a week per urban learning site. There are six nurses, three

28 counsellors and three support staff. This is not applicable to college support group

(HEAIDS, 2010:123).

Condom distribution is done at student functions although the uptake of female condoms is low in Port Elizabeth support group. At the nursing college support group condoms are always available for the undergraduate nursing students. Community outreach is two-way, the university responds to the needs of the community and the community supports the university –initiated interventions (HEAIDS, 2010:128). The nursing college visits nearby colleges and schools for their campaigns.

 UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG (UJ)

Their emphasis is on knowing and understanding the student population. Port Elizabeth first year students are invited so that they can grow with the programme as they advance with their studies. Link members are involved in residence awareness campaigns as they have been declared high risk environments.( Kelly, 2001:10). This is not applicable in the nursing college support group. Peer group education is the focal point of HIV prevention and the primary vehicle through which students get involved in HIV prevention efforts (HEAIDS, 2010:135).

University of Venda has an opportunity for staff training, this includes topics such sensitivity, discrimination, confidentiality, harm reduction and disclosure (HEAIDS, 2010:136). The nursing college support group members need a lot of development about the HIV issues.