The Impact of HIV/AIDS on the Health Sector. National Survey of Health Personnel, Ambulatory and Hospital Patients and Health Facilities
by SHISANA, O., HALL, E., MALULEKE, K.R., STOKER, D.J., SCHWABE, C., COLVIN, M., CHAUVEAU, J., BOTHA, C., GUMEDE, T., FOMUNDAM, H., SHAIKH, N., REHLE, T., UDJO, E., GRISSELQUIST, D., 2002Research Report, SAHA, HSRC, prepared for the SA Department of Health
South Africa is estimated to have the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. Given the impact of HIV/AIDS on society, and the need for policies on assisting those living with the disease, the Human Sciences Research Council and the National School of Public Health at the Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA) conducted a series of studies to generate empirical data to inform planning and management of HIV/AIDS. These studies answered the following three broad questions: · To what extent does HIV/AIDS affect the health system?· What aspects or sub-systems are most affected? · How will the impact progress over time? The analysis is based on a probability sample of health facilities and patients – specifically, a stratified cluster sample of 222 health facilities representative of the public and private health sector. A representative probability sample of 2000 patients and 2000 health workers at public and private health facilities was obtained. Data was collected in all nine provinces through a series of questionnaires. With respect to HIV testing, an anonymous linked HIV survey was conducted in the Free State, Mpumalanga, the North West and KwaZulu-Natal. The studies found that the HIV/AIDS epidemic has a significant impact on the health system through a loss of staff due to illness, absenteeism, low staff morale, and also through the higher patient load.
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