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Abstract

Background Orphanhood is a major consequence of the AIDS pandemic in South Africa. Most children who are living as AIDS orphans in township communities experience recurrent psychological trauma, a lack of care and support, and much suffering.

Aim The development of a Conceptual Framework upon which strategies were developed for Primary Health Care Nurses, Social Workers, and Psychologists to improve care and support to children living as AIDS orphans in township communities in Gqeberha, South Africa.

Method This conceptual framework was developed using the Survey List of Dickoff, James and Weidenbach. Data to populate the conceptual framework was collected from an in-depth literature search, to determine the legislative and policy frameworks influencing the South African Government’s policies concerning these vulnerable children, and from in-depth interviews with primary health care nursing professionals (n=10), social workers (n=8) and psychologists (n=6) who provide care and support to these vulnerable children.

Results The results from the in-depth literature review and empirical data enabled the development of this conceptual framework. The four domains of the conceptual framework were identified as: strengthening the existing legislative and policy frameworks in which the primary health care nurses, social workers, and psychologists practice; enhancing the resilience of these professionals; enabling interdisciplinary collaboration; and the facilitation of an empowering work environment.

Conclusions This conceptual framework identified the four domains which were the basis for development of the ‘Steps of Progression Strategies’ which could improve care and support to these vulnerable children.

Publication Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This article has been accepted for publication inInternational Journal of Child Health and Human Development by Nova Science Publishers.
Publisher Keywords:	Development, Conceptual Framework, Strategies, Care, Support, AIDS Orphans, Townships, South Africa
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Nursing

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