Investigation into the quality of life of an employee affected by HIV/AIDS

[摘要] One of the greatest challenges in the world today is fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic.Life expectancy in developing countries, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa,decreased to 46 years while in developed countries the average life expectancy is 78years. World Health Organisation(WHO) indicates that HIV/AIDS, now the world'sleading cause of death in adults aged 15 to 59 years, is killing almost 5 000 men andwomen in this age group, and almost 1 000 of their children, every 24 hours in sub-Saharan Africa.In South Africa today, employees operate in an increasingly complex legal environmentwith regard to HIV/AIDS in the workplace.Despite the legal protection against employees affected by HI/AIDS and vigorouscampaigns to combat HIV/AIDS in support of affected employees, the researcher hasobserved that management and co-workers show no compassion, empathy orunderstanding for the needs of these affected employees.An in-depth literature review of quality of life was completed. The goal of this study wasto investigate whether the quality of life of the employee affected by HIV/AIDS isadversely affected. The following objectives were set:• To determine the family history of the employee affected by HIV/AIDS• To determine occupational history of the employee affected by HIV/AIDS• To determine the symptoms of the employee affected by HIV/AIDS• To determine the effectiveness of the anti-retroviral treatment programme of theemployee affected by HIV/AIDSA descriptive qualitative research design using the case study method was applied toinvestigate whether the quality of life of the employee affected by HIV/AIDS wasadversely affected.The population of this study were HIV/AIDS-affected employees working at a food andbeverage company. Ten employees who gave consent participated in the study. Thetrustworthiness of this study was assured with the use of Lincoln and Guba's criteria ofcredibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. A pre-test study was also completed. All ethical principles were met. Data was collected through an interviewusing an interview guide designed for use in a semi-structured interview. Data analysedshow that the basic needs of the employee affected by HIV/AIDS are not adequately metand that the employee therefore does not experience quality of life.Recommendations include the improvement in public–private partnerships; in-servicetraining and continuous refresher courses for all employees, supervisors andmanagement; employee assistance programmes; involvement of church andcommunities; support circle; holistic approach in nursing care and further research.The findings play a role in understanding the importance of remaining at work for as longas possible when one is affected by HIV/AIDS. The findings of this study further validatethe concepts in basic needs and that QOL is perceived differently by each individual.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University