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1 – 10 of over 2000Attempts to address the gap in literature on the experiences of HIV/AIDS care workers in Africa through studies of professional care givers in Lome, Togo. Uses a pilot study of 30…
Abstract
Attempts to address the gap in literature on the experiences of HIV/AIDS care workers in Africa through studies of professional care givers in Lome, Togo. Uses a pilot study of 30 care givers and examines the roles, services and coping mechanisms of these individuals. Presents the demographics characteristics of the care givers and the type of services provided. Discusses how they cope with stress and their feeling regarding the prevention of HIV. Concludes they face enormous demands which may affect their own health and families. Suggests that a support network would be helpful.
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Jill Von Der Marwitz and Tom Were‐Okello
This paper seeks to highlight the nature and possible effect of the South African higher education (HE) sector's human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to highlight the nature and possible effect of the South African higher education (HE) sector's human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) workplace programmes response and progress.
Design/methodology/approach
A discourse approach is employed within the contextualization of the role of the South African higher education institution (HEI) in addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Findings
The focus of wellness is rapidly becoming part of any corporate landscape and institutions of HE are an integral part of this landscape. Significant gains have been made in the implementation of creative and innovative HIV/AIDS workplace programmes in South Africa's HEI's at the individual, group, family, and at local community level.
Research limitations/implications
All HEIs are currently aligning their HIV/AIDS policies with the National HIV/AIDS sector policy framework. Further research is thus needed on HIV/AIDS where this aspect forms part of a strategic and holistic approach to employee wellness.
Practical implications
Mainstreaming of HIV/AIDS within the institution and the realignment of other allied institutional HIV/AIDS policies together with the establishment of a monitoring and evaluation tool with relevant indicators to gauge the level of responsiveness of institutions.
Originality/value
This study is the first that seeks to ascertain the level of importance of employee wellness in South Africa's HE sector. Therefore, this study sets an important benchmark for further research in the area.
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Richard Pearshouse and Joanne Csete
This paper makes the case for, and describes an effort to develop and promote the use of, model law to address HIV/AIDS in prisons. First, it outlines the concept of model law and…
Abstract
This paper makes the case for, and describes an effort to develop and promote the use of, model law to address HIV/AIDS in prisons. First, it outlines the concept of model law and what model law can bring to advocacy around law reform. Second, it describes why model law is particularly important to safeguard the rights of prisoners and people who use drugs. Third, it relates the methodology involved in developing model law. Three important areas of prison law and regulation related to HIV/AIDS are then described: provisions on the likelihood and duration of incarceration, including periods in pretrial detention; the legal foundation for HIV/AIDS care in prison; and the legal framework for comprehensive harm reduction services in prisons. A legislative framework to address rape and sexual violence in prison is also outlined. The paper sets out broad principles of how prison laws and regulations should be reformed to accord with human rights principles, and provides a number of examples of the specific wording of certain provisions.
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The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the implementation of the Southern African Community Development (SADC) Code on HIV/AIDS and employment in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the implementation of the Southern African Community Development (SADC) Code on HIV/AIDS and employment in Mauritius. It focusses on the existing normative framework on HIV/AIDS and employment in Mauritius and the ways in which adopting various aspects of the SADC Code could further bolster the framework for more effective protection of people with HIV/AIDS at the workplace.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used is based on a mix of the legal research method and case study analysis. The SADC Code is analysed, and its application and relevance to the Mauritian context are assessed.
Findings
The implementation of the SADC Code into the Mauritian legal framework is still at its infancy. Despite being a state party to it, Mauritius has not done much towards the domestication of the Code which explains the incomplete protection of employees with HIV/AIDS at the workplace from discrimination.
Practical implications
This paper serves as a tool for civil society organisations and other stakeholders to understand the SADC Code and also to engage in a debate related to its implementation in Mauritius.
Originality/value
There has been dearth of literature on the legal aspects of HIV/AIDS and employment in Mauritius. This paper serves as a platform on which this debate can be initiated and continued.
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J.R. Davies, D. de Bruin, M. Deysel and M. Strydom
The mining sector represents a significant portion of the South African economy. The recent announcement of the proposed black empowerment bill for the mining sector caused share…
Abstract
The mining sector represents a significant portion of the South African economy. The recent announcement of the proposed black empowerment bill for the mining sector caused share prices to plummet. This reaction, in turn, caused a marked devaluation of the rand against other major currencies. Anything that impacts negatively on the mining sector will therefore have an adverse effect on the South African economy. This paper considers the affect that HIV/AIDS will have on the mining sector and, by implication, on the South African economy. Consideration is given to whether mining companies manage this risk properly and whether it is reasonably accounted for and disclosed in the financial statements. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations made regarding HIV/AIDS risk management and how HIV/AIDS issues can be disclosed fairly. Although the management teams of mining companies have introduced a HIV/AIDS risk‐management process and have commenced the disclosure of HIV/AIDS information, the disclosure is still far from adequate.
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The purpose of this paper is to describe the use of ICT to disseminate preventive health care information to combat the AIDS epidemic in India. The role of information…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the use of ICT to disseminate preventive health care information to combat the AIDS epidemic in India. The role of information professionals in various libraries and information centres and the challenges they are facing to increase HIV/AIDS awareness are discussed. Finally, recommendations are given and the conclusion is drawn that libraries and information professionals must develop AIDS literacy programmes to cater to the growing health information needs of the community.
Design/methodology/approach
Literature search, web site information and personal interaction with the key persons associated with various HIV/AIDS awareness projects.
Findings
Lack of knowledge about AIDS, its modes of transmission and ways to avoid infection, are major challenges in India. Staff in ICT‐based library and information centres can make a high impact on the local community by developing community‐based AIDS literacy programmes and hopefully save the society from an AIDS epidemic. There is a perceived need for providing health information services through public libraries to the illiterate rural population who are increasingly making themselves vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. However, awareness of e‐channels is low, especially in rural India; one solution is to increase take‐up and run AIDS awareness campaigns through electronic media.
Originality/value
A summary is provided of ICT‐based projects and initiatives by libraries and other agencies to disseminate AIDS information. Few multi‐type consortia have been formed in the USA and UK to develop AIDS databases and e‐learning modules are listed. These can be used as examples by Indian libraries with limited resources wishing to enhance community awareness through ICT. The concerted efforts amongst stakeholders are emphasized with the objectives of enhancing information professionals' skill in the AIDS information dissemination process.
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R. Alan Thompson and James W. Marquart
Much attention is given to the topic of HIV/ AIDS within the general population and several specific professions, namely the medical and related health‐care fields. By comparison…
Abstract
Much attention is given to the topic of HIV/ AIDS within the general population and several specific professions, namely the medical and related health‐care fields. By comparison, little serious attention is devoted to the implications this deadly disease poses for the law enforcement profession and its practitioners. In response to this situation, a study was undertaken to assess the nature, accuracy and extent of officers’ beliefs, perceptions and attitudes about HIV/AIDS as it relates to the performance of their daily law enforcement responsibilities. Preliminary results from this empirical effort indicate that officers do in fact possess a range of personal views that are expected to directly influence the profession’s future development. Selected findings and their implications for both training and policy initiatives, as well as suggestions for additional empirical research endeavours, are presented and discussed.
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Ngoako Solomon Marutha and Olefhile Mosweu
This study sought to investigate a framework for ensuring the confidentiality and security of information at the public health-care facilities to curb HIV/AIDS trauma among…
Abstract
Purpose
This study sought to investigate a framework for ensuring the confidentiality and security of information at the public health-care facilities to curb HIV/AIDS trauma among patients in Africa. In most instances, trauma to HIV/AIDS patients accelerate because of their personal information relating to the state of illness leaks to public people.
Design/methodology/approach
This qualitative study used literature to study confidentiality and security of information at the public health-care facilities to curb HIV/AIDS trauma among patients in Africa.
Findings
The study revealed that confidentiality and security of information has been neglected, in most instances, at the health-care facilities, and this has, to some extent, affected HIV/AIDS patients negatively, leading to trauma, stigma and skipping of treatment by patients resulting in accelerated mortality among chronic patients. The study recommends that patients’ information be always strictly controlled and kept confidential and secured at all the times, especially that of HIV/AIDS patients.
Practical implications
The proposed framework can be used by health-care facilities to guide the management and promotion of the confidentiality and security of information in the public health-care facilities to curb additional trauma to HIV/AIDS patients in the context of Africa, and even beyond.
Originality/value
The study provides a framework to ensure the confidentiality and security of information at the public health-care facilities to curb additional trauma to HIV/AIDS patients.
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Paul Bowen, Rajen Govender, Peter Edwards and Keith Cattell
Prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection in the South African construction industry exceeds that of most other economic sectors. Voluntary counselling and testing is pivotal in combatting…
Abstract
Purpose
Prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection in the South African construction industry exceeds that of most other economic sectors. Voluntary counselling and testing is pivotal in combatting the spread of the disease. Little is known about the attitudinal fear of testing among construction workers, and the determinants thereof. The purpose of this paper is to address these shortcomings.
Design/methodology/approach
A conceptual integrated model of fear of testing is proposed. Demographic characteristics and behavioural and cognitive factors are posited to explain attitudinal fear of testing. Regression analysis and structural equation modelling are used to test the model, using data gathered from 512 site-based participants in a questionnaire survey.
Findings
Prejudice and lifestyle risk are the terminal predictors of fear of testing. Prejudice is determined by education level and HIV/AIDS transmission knowledge. Knowledge is predicted by education level and ethnicity. Lifestyle risk is determined by age, gender, harmful substance use, and knowledge. Harmful substance use is determined by age, gender, ethnicity, and employment type. The inter-relationship between knowledge about HIV/AIDS, prejudice towards HIV+ persons, and fear of testing is complex and nuanced.
Practical implications
Intervention strategies by firms should positively address attitudinal fear of testing. Employers should ensure that effective communication is established with workers. Interventions relating to harmful substance use by employees need particular attention. Awareness campaigns should be sensitive to ethnic and cultural values, and to inter-generational differences.
Originality/value
Harmful substance use and knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission are indirect predictors of fear of testing. Education and ethnicity are critical dimensions of knowledge. The complex inter-relationship between knowledge, prejudice, lifestyle risk, and fear of testing is highlighted, providing guidelines for intervention management.
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There is a huge amount of literature on HIV/AIDS and HCV in prisons, but some of it is difficult to access. Work on an annotated bibliography started in March 2005 and was…
Abstract
There is a huge amount of literature on HIV/AIDS and HCV in prisons, but some of it is difficult to access. Work on an annotated bibliography started in March 2005 and was completed in November 2005. Its goal is to promote effective responses, based on scientific evidence and respect for human rights, to the issues raised by HIV/AIDS and HCV in prisons. This issue contains part 1 of a selection of ‘essential resources’ taken from the bibliography. Documents were included if they were: recent (or still unique); brief (or comprehensive); readable; published by a reputable organization; published as a paper in a high impact factor journal; scientifically rigorous; focused on and relevant to developing or transitional nations; relevant to the selection criteria; and the overall impression of the author was strongly favourable. Part 1 contains overview documents, policies, and guidelines; documents on legal, ethical, and human rights issues related to HIV/AIDS in prison; as well as websites and periodicals.
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