Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop and validate an education programme designed to improve the quality of life (QoL) of people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the Johannesburg Metropole. The Delphi technique was employed to gather expert consensus on the content, scope, and relevance of the program to ensure its appropriateness and effectiveness.
Methods: A three-round Delphi process was conducted with ten purposively selected experts, including HIV/AIDS specialists, practitioners, nurses, and PhD students with relevant experience. Round one involved the development of an initial questionnaire based on literature review and previous research, which experts rated using a five-point Likert scale. The responses were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, focusing on median, mean, and standard deviation to assess consensus. In rounds two and three, experts reviewed summarized results and revised their responses accordingly, with a consensus threshold set at 80% agreement after the third round.
Results: The iterative Delphi rounds resulted in a high level of consensus (100%) on the proposed program components, including its relevance to the Johannesburg context, acceptability to PLHIV, effectiveness in promoting QoL, and alignment with national and international standards. Statistical analysis highlighted a convergence of expert opinions, validating the program’s content and implementation strategies.
Notes
References:
Brown, C. (2021). Delphi technique: An updated review of the literature. Journal of Implementation Science, 16(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-021-01155-3
Barrett, M., & Heale, R. (2020). Strategies for ensuring credibility and validity of qualitative research. Nursing Research, 28(4), 34-42.
Ervin, J., & Kulbok, P. (2018). Utilizing the Delphi technique in healthcare research. Research in Nursing & Health, 41(2), 175-183.
Garcia, M., Nguyen, T., & Lopez, A. (2024). Delphi techniques in health policy development: A systematic review. Health Policy and Planning, 39(4), 512-526.
Taze, F. (2022). The Delphi method as a research technique: An overview. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 25(5), 615-628.
Sigma Membership
Alpha Beta Beta
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Cross-Sectional
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Instrument and Tool Development, Implementation Science, Sustainable Development Goals, Quality of Life, HIV-Positive Persons, Medical Care
Recommended Citation
Medupe, Mebelo and Phetlhu, Deliwe Rene, "Harnessing Expert Insights to Strengthen HIV Care Through Innovative Programme Development" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 193.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/193
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-08-23
Harnessing Expert Insights to Strengthen HIV Care Through Innovative Programme Development
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop and validate an education programme designed to improve the quality of life (QoL) of people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the Johannesburg Metropole. The Delphi technique was employed to gather expert consensus on the content, scope, and relevance of the program to ensure its appropriateness and effectiveness.
Methods: A three-round Delphi process was conducted with ten purposively selected experts, including HIV/AIDS specialists, practitioners, nurses, and PhD students with relevant experience. Round one involved the development of an initial questionnaire based on literature review and previous research, which experts rated using a five-point Likert scale. The responses were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, focusing on median, mean, and standard deviation to assess consensus. In rounds two and three, experts reviewed summarized results and revised their responses accordingly, with a consensus threshold set at 80% agreement after the third round.
Results: The iterative Delphi rounds resulted in a high level of consensus (100%) on the proposed program components, including its relevance to the Johannesburg context, acceptability to PLHIV, effectiveness in promoting QoL, and alignment with national and international standards. Statistical analysis highlighted a convergence of expert opinions, validating the program’s content and implementation strategies.
Description
The use of the Delphi technique effectively facilitated expert consensus on an education programme aimed at enhancing QoL for PLHIV on ART. The validated programme is contextually relevant, acceptable to the target population, and aligned with best practices, providing a solid foundation for implementation and future evaluation to improve HIV care outcomes.