View/Open - ResearchSpace - University of KwaZulu-Natal

eplenishment was a challenge. On the contrary, the results of this study show that the
government through the department of health cut down the supply of HBC kits. This shows
more nuanced understanding of the problems on resources for infection control practices.
These findings imply that infection control protocols could not be followed by volunteer
caregivers. These findings could have a negative impact on the patients in that, most patients
could be neglected consequently the quality of care provided to them could be compromised
and patients could be susceptible to death. However, in order for HBCOs to function
properly, there is need for the government to allocate adequate resources for infection control
practices and establish a central office that could oversee infection control practices in
HBCOs.
Exo level
Home-based care organisations in this study acknowledged the importance of training for
their volunteer caregivers as such, most HBCCs/project managers ensured that volunteer
caregivers received training when enrolled into HBC programs. However, this study extends
knowledge in this area of training regarding infection control practices. Findings suggest that
most HBCOs did not have internal trainers hence, they depended profoundly on the DoH to
offer training to volunteer caregivers. This implies that most HBCOs have little influence
regarding training, however, this could be the reason why most HBCOs wait for long periods
of time to receive training for their volunteer caregivers. It could also contribute to lack of
sufficient knowledge regarding infection control practices. For example, only one project
manager/HBCC who was a retired nurse provided training to volunteer caregivers on
infection control practices while waiting for an external trainer. This implies that infection
control practices could be affected negatively because volunteer caregivers begin to care for
patients without appropriate and adequate training as such they are at risk of being infected
while caring for the patients. These findings highlight the need for the DoH to offer regular
training with refresher courses and also train internal trainers in HBCOs who could also be in
charge of overseeing infection control practices in the organisations.
63