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Micro level
Although volunteer caregivers were equipped with knowledge and skills on infection control
practices such as practicing good hygiene; wearing protective clothing; disposing of the waste
safely, they could not follow all infection control protocols due to poor quality and
insufficient materials. Knowledge and skills on infection control without adequate materials
is not worthwhile. Most participants in this study feared contagion and felt discouraged to
perform their duties without materials. This could cause volunteer caregivers to abandon
some patients. This also could also add psychological stress to volunteer caregivers and cause
them to drop out. These findings show an expansion of knowledge in this area. However,
there is need for the volunteer caregivers in HBCOs to form a forum to address materials
issues.
5.4 Challenges confronted by volunteer caregivers and strategies developed to deal with
the challenges regarding infection control practices
Macro and exo level
The mission for HBCOs programs is to provide on-going care to HIV/AIDS clients in order
to alleviate pain and also to provide hope (Walker, Aceng, Tindyebwa, Nabyonga, Ogwang
& Kiiza, nd). The South African community care worker management policy framework
(2009) states that, international organisations and non-profit organizations are the main
funders of HBCOs. However, the findings of this study show that most HBCOs depended
heavily on the government, NGOs and donors for resources. The government, through the
department of health, is responsible for providing home based care organizations with HBC
kits for volunteer caregivers. But at the time of this research materials contained in the kits
were of poor quality and inadequate to carter for the patients that volunteer caregivers cared
for because they were only supplied once a month. For example 97% of the volunteer givers
did not have HBC kits at the time of research.
Insufficient materials inhibited volunteer caregivers to follow the infection control practice
protocols such as wearing protective clothing like gloves, masks, aprons and practicing
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