Mobilizing nurses : International networking for HIV/AIDS prevention
and care
Arphorn Chuaprapaisilp, Assoc. Prof., D. of Medical Nursing, F. of Nursing, PSU.
Claire Parsons, Centre for Research in Public Health and Nursing, LaTrobe U., Australia
Usanee Tantriboon, Asst. Prof., D. of Public Health Nursing, F. of Nursing, PSU.
Patchareeya Chailanka, D. of Medical Nursing, F. of Nursing, PSU.
Sukunya Lojanapiwat, Asst. Prof., D. of Fundamental Nursing, F. of Nursing, PSU.
Sawitri Limchaiarunraung, D. of Ad. in Nursing Education and Nursing Service, F. of Nursing, PSU.
Pranom Noophetch, D. of Surgical Nursing, F. of Nursing, PSU.
Kittikorn Ninmanat, D. of Medical Nursing, F. of Nursing, PSU.
Tippamas Chinnawong, D. of Medical Nursing, F. of Nursing, PSU.
Quantar Balthip, D. of Fundamental Nursing, F. of Nursing, PSU.
Corresponding e-mail : carphorn@ratree.psu.ac.th
Grant : WHO, UNDP and Government Budget
Presented : International Nursing and Midwifery Research for Development,
9-10 October, 2000, Bangkok, Thailand
Key words : mobilizing nurses, networking, HIV/AIDS, prevention, care
Issue : There is a need to develop innovative strategies for developing countries to take a community development approach to HIV/AIDS prevention and care.
Project : This collaborative project involved 6 villages (3 Buddhist, 3 Muslim) in south Thailand. The aim was to develop strategies to assist local communities in southern Thailand to treat and care for HIV/AIDS without stigmatising families and individuals. The project illustrated inter-national nursing collaboration on a community development project using participatory action
research and health program evaluation methods. The collaboration between Thailand and Australia was in research design, data gathering, analysis and research training.
The partnerships include bridging the gap between university- based nurses with clinical expertise and research skills and Ministry of Public Health nurses with health promotion expertise and a knowledge of their local communities. Further more, the team has forged partnerships with local NGOs, Buddhist temple, Muslim leaders, and medical and social science personnel to address this issues of education for HIV prevention through family-based care nursing of those with HIV/AIDS.
Results : the major results of the project were that the communities have taken ownership of
the project and that the project had a significant impact on the participating communities. Villagers
has demonstrated the effectiveness of their knowledge and skills for HIV/AIDS prevention and
care. Strategies for empowering communities for HIV/AIDS prevention and care involved 1) getting started (networking, developing rapport, training researchers, baseline survey) 2) awareness raising
3) understanding 4) mutual collaboration and 5) group emancipation. The Ministry of Public Health
has expanded this model to other villages.
Lessons Learned : PAR methods has been highly successful method on which to base this project. Empowerment and networking have become reality at several levels.
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