Document 0981
 DOCN  M94A0981
 TI    Reflexology--a relaxation exercise for AIDS patients-Rakai district.
 DT    9412
 AU    Naluyange M; Ssemukasa M; Brehony E; CONCERN-Rakai-Uganda, Masaka.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(2):236 (abstract no. PB0957). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94371594
 AB    OBJECTIVES: To offer treatment and rexation to mostly AIDS patients as a
       means of caring for them in medicine--defficient rural areas. METHODS:
       Participants were identified from the informal groups of mostly women in
       Kirumba sub-county. Criteria for selection was on confidentiality,
       voluntarism in Home care programme and trustworthiness. A 4 day training
       was given in Reflexology--the therapy of reflexes in the treatment of
       body complaints and relaxation, in July 1993. The trainees practice
       Reflexology on patients in their villages of approx. 700 people each.
       Monthly meetings are held with the trainees to discuss the successes,
       failures and suggestions for improvement. RESULTS: 9 voluntary
       practitioners were trained and since the training, the statistics are as
       follows: August 1993, 12 patients were treated. September 1993, 24
       patients with 20 of them AIDS people. October/November 1993, 33 patients
       with 29 having AIDS. 85% of these people report some pain relief,
       relaxation and sleeping soundly after the exercise. Since the exercise
       started, 7 patients have died, 5 of whom were AIDS patients who started
       Reflexology in the late stages of the disease. CONCLUSION: The practice
       is proving good and applicable in our rural communities especially where
       the Home Care programme is established. For proper implementation,
       practitioners required basic health education and counselling skills.
       With more practice and awareness, the programme will expand to other
       parts of our areas of operation.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*THERAPY  Female  Human  Male
       *Massage  Rural Health  Uganda  MEETING ABSTRACT

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