Factors facilitating trained NIMART nurses’ adherence to treatment guidelines: A vital matter in the management of TB/HIV treatment in South Africa
Abstract Background: Globally, the burden of tuberculosis or human immunodeficiency virus (TB/HIV) is at 24% and this alarming rate compelled the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare the African region as a critical workforce shortage area. To facilitate adherence to treatment guidelines, WHO recommended a strategy of task shifting for countries with high health workforce shortages. The strategy aimed at the redistribution of health care tasks to available workers. The purpose of this study was to determine factors facilitating trained nurse-initiated management of antiretroviral therapy (NIMART) adherence to TB/HIV treatment guidelines in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and North West (NW) Provinces of South Africa.Design: The study was qualitative, exploratory-descriptive in nature. The population comprised of 24 participants who were purposively selected. The in-depth focus group discussions were conducted and data analysis was through ATLAS T.I. software program (version 7.0). This followed the basic steps of notice-collect-think (NCT) analysis. Trustworthiness and adherence to ethics were ensured.Results: The singular theme of factors facilitating trained NIMART nurses’ adherence to treatment guidelines which included positive attitudinal needs and positive behavioural change emerged from raw data. Conclusion: Continuous training, support supervision and improved relationships with colleagues need to be enhanced to enable NIMART nurses to adhere to treatment guidelines.