Pitting Botswana’ 1996 community home based care programme (CHBC) objectives against 2005/2006 empirical study findings: The case for the Kanye programme.

Abstract

Community home based care (CHBC) programmes are vehicles used by communities to compliment government efforts in tackling care challenges presented by HIV and AIDS. This article validates Botswana’s CHBC programme objectives, pitting them against empirical findings from a study conducted in 2005/2006. The study, which was conducted in the Kanye area of Botswana, was qualitative in nature, and involved 10 focus group discussions involving 82 primary caregivers, one-to-one interviews with five nurses supervising the programme, and participant observation. The findings indicate that while the national CHBC objectives are relevant, valid and visionary, the conditions on the ground are often such that they (objectives) are sometimes inadequately implemented. Policy makers need to ensure there is closer supervision, monitoring and evaluation surveillance, and research on the ground to address the widening gaps and glaring challenges faced in attempts to fulfil the objectives. KEYWORDS: CHBC programme objectives, HIV and AIDS, clients/patients, caregivers, Botswana