Framework for a workplace wellness programme for HIV and AIDS affected and/or infected nurse practitioners
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Date
2011-05
Authors
Basson, Helena Aletta
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to propose a framework for the
development of a workplace well ness programme for nurse practitioners who are
infected with and/or affected by HIV/AIDS in the healthcare private sector.
Research objectives: The objective of the study was to identify and describe
components, as well as propose a framework, necessary to develop a workplace
well ness programme.
Background: Nurse practitioners are daily confronted with illness, disease and
debilitating health, psychosocial and economical conditions, especially in South
Africa, where the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is very high amongst the sexually and
economically active adult women between 15 - 49 years of age.
Although the nurse practitioner perceive this state as being a negative notion to
health, they accept it as a way of living and choose to adopt the positive concept of
health, namely well ness, for themselves. The nurse practitioner thus experiences
well ness if she is holistically sound and healthy, but acknowledges that her/his work
environment and economical circumstances have a profound influence on their
quality of life and sense of wellbeing. Furthermore emphasizing that nurse
practitioners have the desire to stay healthy and well within an environment where
they are daily confronted with HIV/AIDS.
To support and help nurse practitioners reach an optimal level of positive health and
wellbeing, research was done to explain the interrelationship between health and
well ness and how health and well ness could be promoted in a workplace by
instituting a workplace well ness programme.
Research design: A descriptive research method in quantitative research design
was used to obtain and explore information about the components found in the
workplace that have a direct impact on the physical, psychosocial, spiritual and
economical wellbeing of nurse practitioners confronted with HIV/AIDS which could
be addressed by means of a workplace wellness programme.
A structured questionnaire and the application of the Likert scale of measurement
was presented to registered and enrolled nurse practitioners (n=232) after probable
sampling based on randomisation, was done at the designated institution.
Findings: The nurse practitioners indicated that they were afraid of being infected
with HIV/AIDS and that they wanted to stay HIV negative. They regarded the then
current management of HIV/AIDS in their workplace to be reconsidered. They were
of opinion that HIV/AIDS pose a serious threat in the workplace and considered a
workplace well ness programme as a priority whereby HIV/AIDS issues could be
effectively addressed. The enhancement of positive health and wellbeing could be
attained through applicable workplace interventions, awareness initiatives, HIV/AIDS
information, health and wellness promotional services and programmes, as well as
effective counsellor and peer educational initiatives.
Conclusions: A framework utilizing a logic model to demonstrate the theory of
change was presented that illustrated and explained the following:
• Components inherent to the nurse practitioner and the workplace that
influence the development of a workplace well ness programme;
• A workplace well ness programme involves health, weiiness, health
promotion and a structured wellness programme;
• Components necessary for instituting an effective integrated HIV/AIDS
workplace management strategy for the development of a workplace
well ness programme for nurse practitioners affected and/or infected with
HIV/AIDS.
Description
Keywords
Framework, Wellness programme, HIV/AIDS, Nurse practitioner, Orem's theory, Logic model, Theory of change, Health, Wellness, Health promotion, Workplace, Quantitative, Dissertation (M.Soc.Sc. (Nursing))--University of the Free State, 2011