Original Research

Attitudes of physiotherapists in Botswana to treating people living with HIV/AIDS

M. Kambole, P. Struthers
South African Journal of Physiotherapy | Vol 65, No 2 | a81 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v65i2.81 | © 2009 M. Kambole, P. Struthers | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 06 January 2009 | Published: 19 February 2009

About the author(s)

M. Kambole, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
P. Struthers, University of the Western Cape, South Africa

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Abstract

Physiotherapists are increasingly treating people living with HIV /AIDS.However, there is little information reported on either their attitudes when providingtreatment to people with HIV /AIDS, or what facilitates positive attitudes. This studyaimed to determine the attitudes of physiotherapists in Botswana towards treating people living with HIV /AIDS. A  qualitative approach was used with a purposive sample of 10 physiotherapists working in hospitals and private clinics in Gaborone and Ramotswa. In-depth interviews were conducted with individual physiotherapists, utilising an interview guide in. The results indicated that most physiotherapists had a positive attitude towards treating people living with HIV /AIDS. The positive attitude was associated with interrelated factors including their experiencewith people living with HIV /A IDS (PLW HA ); knowledge of HIV /AIDS; job satisfaction; and a belief in a duty to treatall. A  few physiotherapists had a negative attitude which was related to being judgmental and to a fear of acquiring HIVthrough occupational infection.

Keywords

hiv/aids; attitude; physiotherapists; treatment; people living with hiv/aids

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Crossref Citations

1. Qualitative research in physiotherapy: A systematic mapping review of 20 years literature from sub-Saharan Africa
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