Exploring the life stories of HIV/AIDS lay counsellors: from burnout to resilience

Abstract

South Africa has one of the largest antiretroviral treatment programmes which demand HIV counselling and testing services. HIV and AIDS lay counsellors have therefore been incorporated into the public health facilities to assist health care professionals with the high workload of HIV counselling and testing. The current study explored the life stories of HIV/AIDS lay counsellors and their move from burnout to resilience. A qualitative approach was used to conduct in-depth interviews with six HIV/AIDS lay counsellors at one of the clinics in the Tshwane area. The aim was to explore the life stories of HIV/AIDS lay counsellors and the extent to which burnout affects them as well as their manifestation of resilience. Factors that contributed to their burnout and their resilience were identified. Although these lay counsellors suffered from some levels of burnout, they were able to cope with their challenges and be resilient despite the challenges they encountered. Suggestions were made to the lay counsellors, managers and the Department of Health to diminish the effects of these challenges. Recommendations for future research were also made.