2nd Quarter 2010

This issue of INCI News highlights activities in South Africa, including a hands-on workshop and the launch of the ICAP Nurse Capacity Initiative Center for Excellence at the University of Fort Hare.

Workshop Introduces Campus-to-Clinic Tutor Mentorship Initiative to Nurses in South Africa

by Linda van Blerk

The International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs Nurse Capacity Initiative (INCI) in South Africa, in collaboration with the International Center of Excellence in Nursing at the University of Fort Hare (ICOE), Eastern Cape Department of Health and Regional Training Centre, and other Eastern Cape Nursing Educational Institutions, introduced its Campus-to-Clinic Tutor Mentorship Initiative (CTC) at a workshop on March 29-30 in East London, South Africa. This initiative is funded by the United States government under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR/HRSA).

The CTC Initiative is a pilot program to mentor tutors in all nursing education institutions in the Eastern Cape Province to adequately prepare graduating nurses for the demands of clinical work in HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis care. The CTC Initiative focuses on bridging the gap between pre-service and in-service training and building the competence and confidence of educators in HIV and TB care and treatment.

The workshop explored designated key competencies in HIV and TB knowledge, clinical skills, and health systems that are in accordance with the new South African ARV Treatment Guidelines, and the Counseling and Testing Campaign that were implemented on the 1st April 2010. Workshop success was evaluated using pre- and post-assessments that surveyed participants' knowledge of the topics covered. The average score of pre-assessment was 50%, with a maximum of 85% and a minimum of 20%. The average score of post-assessment was 77%, with a maximum of 100% and a minimum of 45%. This represents a 54% improvement in average scores.

Seventy-five representatives attended the workshop. Delegates were present from the funding organization (PEPFAR/HRSA), Eastern Cape and Free State Departments of Health, and nursing educational institutions from the Eastern Cape. A delegation of nursing leadership from Swaziland also participated.

For more information about the Campus-to-Clinic Tutor Mentorship Initiative please contact Linda Van Blerk, ICAP South Africa Chief Nursing Advisor at lv2267@columbia.edu.

Photo captions: From top to bottom, Lebogang Schultz, ICAP-South Africa Prevention of Mother-to-Children Transmission Technical Advisor, puts South Africa guidelines into practice using a case study. Portia Shai Mhatu (center), INCI Coordinator, Free State, leads a breakout session.

Mentorship Initiative Bridges Gap Between Nurse Pre-Service and In-Service HIV/TB Training: The Training Component of the CTC

by Margaret McNairy, M.D.

The training component of the CTC is divided into basic, intermediate, and advanced HIV/TB care and treatment. The phases are each approximately eight weeks long.  Each phase is designed across three skill areas: HIV/TB knowledge, HIV/TB clinical skills, and HIV and health system skills.  Content for each phase is based on South African Ministry of Health 2010 ART Guidelines and the 2009 South African Ministry of Health nursing audit, which lists 80 core nursing competencies for HIV/TB care.  Each phase will have an associated set of pre- and post-assessment tools to evaluate the impact of the program and the mentee’s competency and confidence to graduate to the next phase of training.

The training component will be launched this spring in eight nursing education institutions across the Eastern Cape. It is a model to reposition nursing in a leading role within the healthcare team.

Launch of the ICOE at the University of Fort Hare

On March 29, the ICAP Nurse Capacity Initiative Center of Excellence (ICOE) was launched at the University of Fort Hare. The ICOE will assist country INCI’s in assessing local needs to:

• Empower nurses to provide high quality HIV- related care;
• Build and strengthen the public health nursing workforce through a focus on HIV service delivery;
• Advocate for broadened scopes of practice & updated nursing policies;
• Facilitate and improve HIV-related pre-service and in-service nurse training;
• Engage nurses and stakeholders in a pan-African network to heighten visibility and nursing leadership.

The center is housed in a newly renovated space which supports trainings, workshops, online research and professional development opportunities for nurses. The official opening and Ribbon Cutting was attended by representatives from South African schools of nursing as well as Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which funds the center.

Photo caption: Launching the International Center of Excellence (from left to right) are Dr. Bongi Nzama, ICOE -UFH Director; Dr. Jennifer Dohrn, INCI Program Director; and Janette Yu-Shears, Project Officer, HRSA.

Photo Highlights from Gala Dinner

Photo captions: From top to bottom, D. Morapedi, Director of Nursing Services at the Eastern Cape Department of Health, welcomes gala reception attendees. Nurse T.M. Tiso (left) and University of Fort Hare midwifery lecturer Mboni Gqele demonstrate their dance moves. Workshop delegates enjoyed an evening of music and dance at the workshop gala dinner.