Identifying the Gaps: An Assessment of Nurses' Training, Competency, and Practice in HIV Care and Treatment in Kenya

J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2016 May-Jun;27(3):322-30. doi: 10.1016/j.jana.2016.01.005. Epub 2016 Jan 25.

Abstract

Given the burden of HIV and the critical shortage of health workers in Kenya, in 2011 the National AIDS and STI Control Program recommended shifting HIV care and treatment tasks to nurses in settings without physicians and clinical officers in order to decentralize and scale-up HIV services. In September 2013, ICAP at Columbia University conducted a survey with nurses in four health facilities in eastern Kenya to assess preparedness for task shifting. Findings indicated gaps in nurses' training, perceived competency, and practice in HIV care and treatment. Further investment in nurse capacity building is needed to bridge the gaps and prepare more nurses to provide high-quality, comprehensive HIV care and treatment services to curb the epidemic in Kenya.

Keywords: Africa; HIV; competency; nurse initiated and managed antiretroviral treatment (NIMART); task shifting; training.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Clinical Competence*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / nursing*
  • Humans
  • Inservice Training
  • Nursing Staff / education*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Practice Patterns, Nurses'*
  • Primary Health Care
  • Process Assessment, Health Care
  • Workforce

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents

Grants and funding