Utilization of an HIV/AIDS employee wellness program within the workplace (Harare, Zimbabwe)

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study partly assessed the utilisation of an HIV/AIDS Employee Wellness Program (HIV/AIDS EWP) offered by a bank in Harare, Zimbabwe. It was done by assessing employees‟ knowledge, awareness and perceptions of the Program; their utilisation thereof; as well as identifying areas of key concern within the Program.Results showed a high level of knowledge and awareness of the organisations‟ HIV/AIDS EWP. Help and information vital to the HIV/AIDS EWP was found to be easily accessible. The Program was viewed as an enhancer of HIV/AIDS knowledge and consequentially vetted favourably. Utilisation of the Program was high, it showed HIV/AIDS organisational offered programs were attended well; and there was a positive view on importance of HIV seminar and forum attendance plus accessing pamphlet information pertinent to the HIV/AIDS EWP.Respondents were in favour of knowing one‟s HIV status, showing a willingness to enrol with the organisation‟s anti-retroviral program. Results revealed a high level of knowledge on condom use and a generally positive attitude towards institutional provided condoms.Respondents showed a good understanding of the workings of the existing organisational HIV/AIDS policies and programs. Although the majority of respondents in the study showed a willingness to continue a friendship with a colleague who is HIV positive, issues of discrimination towards HIV-positive persons were identified in the study. A need for perseverance on HIV-related education, information and communication dissemination by the Organisation for its employees (and communities they live in at large) are suggested.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University