Exploring nurses' implementation of postnatal care to HIV positive mothers in the Free State

Abstract

Postnatal care provides the opportunity for protecting the health of women and their babies by optimising human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment and management. This study intended to explore the implementation of postnatal care to HIV positive women by explicating nurses’ views regarding their practices with the aim of improving the programme. The study was conducted at three clinics in Mangaung. An evaluative case study design was used to provide a detailed account on implementation of postnatal care to HIV positive clients. The purposive non-probability sampling was used. Semi-structured methods using focus group interviews were used to collect data. Data were reviewed through thematic analysis. The study found that nurses understood guidelines, used them to direct their practice and challenges were highlighted. It was concluded that the system limitations needed to be addressed, skills of health care providers improved and linkages with community based services strengthened to improve effectiveness of care.