[procaare] HCC:Post Conference discussion -46

[Insight Initiative Team <insight@hdnet.org>]

HCC: Post Conference discussion - 46
- HDN Key Correspondents/Rapporteur Team,Thailand
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Self Care to Prevent Opportunistic Infection

Basic self-care is vital yet simple. It decreases the incidence of opportunistic
infections. Prevention of opportunistic infections has proven to be a very effective way
to reduce the burden of high costs of treatment and to maximize the life expectancies of
PLHAs. Stu Flavell, GNP+, stated that "brushing your teeth properly may add years to your
life, even without ARV treatment". Therefore, the first and the best care provider for
everybody is him or herself.

In order to sustain comprehensive and continual self-care, PLHAs should be educated about
the effect the disease has on their bodies so as to help them to recognize conditions as
they arise. This should include monitoring and management of their health. Different
approaches were suggested to facilitate self-care. Dr. Sureeporn Thanasilp, Thailand
shared the results of her study in which a patient-based nursing intervention, which
focused on individual problems and needs, was used successfully.

It was suggested that peer education could also be helpful, in that PLHAs could learn from
others personal experience, which they may consider valid.

In the final analysis, however it is the individual resources of the person themselves
that will determine what is appropriate for them. Stu Flavell's final messages to all
PLHA's was, "use your bodies as your body of knowledge" for good self-care.

HDN Key Correspondent Team
Rapporteur Team
E-mail: correspondents@hdnet.org

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The Insight Initiative Project is managed by Health & Development Networks (HDN) in
collaboration with the Thailand Red Cross Society, the World Health Organization and the
Royal Thailand Government, with financial support from AusAid and UNAIDS.

For more information about this project (the 'Insight Initiative'), visit the HDN website
at: http://www.hdnet.org

Fifth International Conference on Home and Community Care for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS
Chiang Mai, Thailand - 17-20 December 2001
Website: http://www.hiv2001.com


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