POLICY REGARDING HIV AND AIDS
ABOUT US > SCHOOL POLICIES
INTRODUCTION
Aids stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. It is a condition caused by infection with the HIV (Human Immunity Virus). This virus
damages the immune system of humans and destroys the body's natural capability to fight against infections. The damage that the virus causes is permanent.
2. SCOPE OF THE HIV/ AIDS PROBLEM
The firs Aids case in South Africa was diagnosed in 1982. HIV is a major challenge to all South Africans. Most people who are HIV positive do not know that they are infected. Aids is especially prevalent among the most young and productive sectors of society. HIV have a devastating effect on society and families and workplaces are being severely affected. Although latest statistics show a marginal decrease in the number of persons infected, the HIV epidemic in South Africa remains one of the country's most serious and costly health problems.
3. KNOWN FACTS ABOUT HIV /AIDS CONTRACTION
The following facts are known about how HIV/ Aids cannot or can be contracted:
3.1 HOW HIV/ AIDS CANNOT BE CONTRACTED
(a) Currently there is no proof that there is any risk of infection in normal contact with persons who are HIV positive.
(b) There is no proof that Aids are transferable through sneezing, coughing, touching, shaking of hands, crying or sitting close to others unless they have Aids-related Tuberculosis.
(c) As far as can be ascertained HIV infection has never been caused by insects, lice or animals.
3.2 HOW HIV/ AIDS CAN BE CONTRACTED
(a) Through sexual intercourse with a person, who is HIV positive or have full-blown Aids, without the necessary precautionary measures, like wearing a condom, is taken.
(b) Through contaminated blood.
(c) Through using contaminated injection needles, especially by drug addicts.
(d) By the placenta of a HIV mother to the foetus.
(e) The Aids virus can be found in tears, sweat, saliva, urine and faeces. It will however take a large amount of these fluids to enter the
bloodstream in order to cause Aids.
4. STIGMA ATTACHED TO AIDS
Generally, the public's attitude towards Aids sufferers is negative. Prejudice and other negative connotations result in avoidance and
rejection of infected persons. So great is the fear of contracting Aids that even persons that are extremely knowledgeable about Aids also avoid and reject Aids sufferers.
5. CORESTATEMENT
5.1 DISCRIMINATION
(a) No pupil will be refused admission, suspended or transferred because he or she is infected with the Aids virus.
(b) No educator or non-educator employed at the school will be suspended, transferred or subjected to adverse action because of his or her HIV status.
(c) HIV infected pupils and personnel will be entitled to all rights, privileges and service accorded to the other pupils and employees.
(d) School personnel who are unable to perform their duties due to HIV related illnesses shall retain eligibility for all benefits that are provided for other personnel.
5.2 EDUCATION
(a) A comprehensive Education Programme about HIV/ Aids must be followed to inform parents, pupils, educators and non-educating
personnel about
• the background of HIV/ Aids;
• The nature of HIV/ Aids;
• How HIV/ Aids is transmitted and not transmitted;
• Procedures relating to pupils and personnel that is HIV infected;
• Resources at the school or elsewhere where additional information or assistance for pupils on persons infected with HIV can be obtained;
• Procedures at school to prevent the spread of HIV infection. An ongoing Awareness Campaign must be launched. This awareness campaign can inter alia include:
• some remembrance of HIV/ Aids in all school events e.g. by observing a moment of silence, saying a prayer, etc.
• poster competitions;
• guest speakers delivering lectures on HIV/ Aids; integrating the message of HIV/ Aids into as many aspects of the school curriculum as possible.
• educators setting an example of responsible sexual behaviour;
• educators being in frequent contact with parents, spreading the message of HIV/ Aids deep into the community.
• to promote values, which inculcate respect for girls and women to free choice.
6. PRE-CAUTIONARY MEASURES
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) and the Child Care Act (Act 7 4 of 1983) make clear provisions regarding the safety of workers in the workplace and learners in school. These provisions put the onus of responsibility on the employer (Department of Education /
Principal / SGB) to create an environment that is free from the risk of diseases. It is precisely therefore that the following precautionary
measures will be put in place to minimize the risk of HIV infections at this school.
6.1 SECONDARY INFECTION
(a) Learners and educators who have contracted secondary infections e.g. tuberculosis because of the virus, will be compelled to receive
medical treatment. Their continued presence at the school will only take place on recommendation of a medical practitioner.
(b) A hygienic environment will be provided, and a safe routine for excrement by HIV positive learners and personnel will be determined on advice of health workers, to minimize the spreading of the disease.
6.2 CONTACT SPORT PARTICIPATION
(a) HIV-infected learners will be allowed to participate in contact sport only after consultation and on the advice of their medical practitioner.
(b) Universal precautions must be adhered to in connection with injuries involving blood.
(c) Coaches must be trained in first-aid techniques including universal precautions in handing blood.
6.3 UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
• All blood, open wounds, breaks in the skin, grazes and infected skin lesions, as well as all body fluids, should be treated as potentially
infections.
• All schools will have available at least two first-aid kits, each of which contains two large and two medium pairs of disposable latex gloves, two large and two medium pairs of rubber household gloves for handling blood-soaked material in specific instances (e.g. when broken glass makes the use of latex gloves inappropriate), absorbent material, waterproof plasters, disinfectant ( such as hypochlorite), scissors, cotton wool, gauze tape, tissues, containers for water and a cardiopulmonary resuscitation mouthpiece or similar device with which mouth-to-mouth resuscitation could be applied without any contact being made with blood or other body fluids. In addition, each educator should preferably have a pair of rubber gloves in his or her classroom.
• The contents of the firs-aid kits will be regularly checked and used items should be replaced immediately.
• All bleeding wounds should be treated and cleaned while wearing latex gloves, and should be covered well with a dressing or plaster.
However emergency treatment should not be delayed because gloves are not available. Bleeding van be managed by compression
with material that will absorb the blood, for example a towel. People who have skin lesions should not attempt to give first aid when no
latex gloves are available.
• If blood has contaminated a surface, that surface should be cleaned with a fresh, clean bleach solution and the person responsible for
this should wear latex gloves. Other body fluids ( such as urine, vomit or diarrhoea) should be cleaned up in a similar fashion.
• Blood-contaminated material should be sealed in a plastic bag and incinerated, or sent to a disposal firm.
• Skin exposed accidentally to blood should be cleaned promptly with water and disinfectant. All personnel should be trained in correct procedure to be followed and on the appropriate use of the various devices contained in the first-aid kit. Learners, especially in primary schools, should not handle emergencies such as the nosebleeds of friends, on their own.
• If there is a biting or scratching incident where the skin is broken, the wound should be squeezed gently to make it bleed. It should
then be washed thoroughly with warm water and disinfectant, and covered with a waterproof plaster. The injured person should be
given an anti-tetanus injection.
• No learner with an open wound or infected skin lesion should participate in contact sport, such as rugby or boxing.
• If bleeding occurs during such a sport, the player should be taken off the field and be appropriately treated
• Bleeding should be controlled, wounds or lesions should be cleaned with warn water and disinfectant, an antiseptic applied and the
wound covered with a non-porous dressing. Only then may the player resume playing and only for as long as the dressing remains effective.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY
(a) The school will ensure that strict confidentiality is maintained at all times and at all levels when it becomes known that any learner or
staff member is HIV positive.
(b) The absolute minimum of people shall know the identity of the HIV infected person. These people shall not divulge any information
directly or indirectly to any other party regarding the medical condition of the HIV-infected person.
( c) Disclosure of any information is only permitted after written consent by the infected person.
8. DEFINITIONS
Acquired means "to get from"/ Aids is acquired or gotten from other people.
Immune means protected. The body is normally protected from many diseases.
Deficiency refers to a lack of something. With Aids there is a deficiency or lack of immunity against many diseases.
Syndrome refers to a group of different signs of a disease. When people have Aids then they have a syndrome.