SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Provide information about HIV and AIDS and treatment options in community care and support situations 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
260597  Provide information about HIV and AIDS and treatment options in community care and support situations 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Ancillary Health Care 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Preventive Health 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
117493  Provide information about HIV and AIDS and treatment options in community care and support situations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is intended for learner health workers and lay counsellors who wish to work with people who are infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS. It will also be useful for employees involved in ancillary health care.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Describing the rights of people who are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.
  • Explaining the importance of knowing own HIV status and the implications of taking a test for HIV.
  • Explaining ways to reduce the transmission of HIV from a pregnant HIV positive woman to her child.
  • Explaining post HIV-exposure prophylaxis.
  • Explaining the importance of early treatment for opportunistic infections.
  • Discussing access to antiretroviral therapy and the advantages and disadvantages of accepting treatment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 2.
  • ID 116999: Apply accurate information about HIV and AIDS to everyday life, NQF Level 1. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe the rights of people who are infected with and affected by HIV and AIDS. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Rights include, but are not limited to, human rights, health rights and workplace rights. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Human rights are described in terms of the SA Bill of Rights. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Health rights are described according to the continuum of care and include voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), access to prophylaxis, treatments for opportunistic infections and antiretroviral therapy (ART). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Availability of and access to social grants by those affected by HIV/AIDS are explained. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the importance of knowing own HIV status and the implications for taking a test for HIV. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The benefits of knowing own HIV status are explained and questions are invited for further clarity. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Clients are informed of where to go for an HIV test and the of process that is followed when an HIV test is taken, including confidentially required of the test results. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The health implications of a negative HIV-test result are explained in terms of a true-negative result and the window period. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The social and health implications of a positive HIV-test result are explained and sources of further help are provided. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain ways to reduce the transmission of HIV from a pregnant HIV positive woman to her child. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The importance of ante-natal testing for HIV is explained in terms of the rights of pregnant woman to pre- and post-test counseling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Ways to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission are identified in terms of continued protection, safer birthing methods and feeding options. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Treatment options for pregnant women are explained in terms of the risks and benefits to both the mother and the child. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain post-HIV exposure prophylaxis (PEP). 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The benefits of the treatment programme are explained and the timing, location and method of the PEP treatment are clarified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Barriers to treatment are explained with reference to distance, transport and availability of drugs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information is provided regarding where and how PEP can be accessed, with reference to the patient's rights. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Explain the importance of early treatment for opportunistic infections. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Common opportunistic infections and AIDS-defining illnesses are named and aligned with the different states of HIV and AIDS. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The need for early detection of opportunistic infections is explained in terms of treatment and ideal results. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The patient's rights are explained in terms of being treated with dignity and respect. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The patient's right to access appropriate medication for his/her illness is explained in terms of relevant current legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The importance of completing the course of medicine supplied is explained in terms of the possible side effects, how to manage these and the long term results if the medicine course is not completed. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Barriers to effective health care are explained in terms of logistical arrangements. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Logistical arrangements include, but are not limited to, the site for obtaining treatment and the method of accessing the location of the site.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6 
    Discuss access to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy and the advantages and disadvantages of ARV treatment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is discussed in terms of being a life-long programme of a combination of drugs that must be correctly taken. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    ART is discussed in the context of the government's comprehensive treatment plan for HIV and AIDS. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    HAART government programmes are discussed in terms of support provided and ways to access this support, as well as the benefits and disadvantages of ARV therapy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The viral load and CD4 count are clearly and accurately explained in the language and level of understanding of the client. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The importance of support is explained in terms of the roles of the doctor, the health worker and family/friends. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • The learner must have a clear understanding of all relevant information regarding voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and anti-retroviral (ARVs) and knowledge of the available local resources for all of these.
  • Relevant, current legislation, regulations, policies, procedures and agreements relating to HIV and AIDS.
  • HIV and AIDS: Definition; causes; prevention; treatment options; education awareness. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems relating to HIV and AIDS and the effective health care is explained in terms of logistical arrangements. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others and stakeholders in order to maximize health care administration of HIV and AIDS affected clients. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organizing and managing oneself, colleagues and activities responsibly by seeking ways to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission, administering appropriate treatment options and identifying common opportunistic and AIDS-defining illnesses in line with the different states of HIV and AIDS. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Using visual and language skills in communicating with others to ensure that maximum communications are received in own health care context and in administering treatment options and education awareness pertaining to HIV and AIDS. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively to maximize communications, awareness and treatment options. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that HIV and AIDS do not exist in isolation and that a variety of factors will affect this including government policies in respect of treatment plans, perceptions of HIV and AIDS and its effects, logistical restraints, access to appropriate medicine and support and resource capacity. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 117493, "Provide information about HIV and AIDS and treatment options in community care and support situations", Level 3, 6 credits.

    Credit Justification:

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcomes:

    Activity; Hours; Credits:
  • Classroom learning; 30 Hours; 3.0 Credits.
  • On the job learning; 30 Hours; 3.0 Credits.
  • Self directed learning; 08 Hours; 0.8 Credits.
  • Coaching; 06 Hours; 0.6 Credit.
  • Others: Site visit and clinical accompaniment; 06 Hours; 0.6 Credits.
  • Total; 80 Hours; 8 Credits. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  64769   National Certificate: Community Health Work  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  HW SETA 
    Core  78803   National Certificate: Primary Response in Emergencies  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2013-06-02   
    Elective  64749   National Certificate: Community Health Work  Level 2  NQF Level 02  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  HW SETA 
    Elective  74410   Further Education and Training Certificate: Public Awareness Promotion of Dread Disease and HIV/AIDS  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  HW SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.