An evaluation of HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes of Nkonkobe Municipality employees in the Eastern Cape province

Date
2008-03
Authors
Tyilo, Phelicia Nonzukiso
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objectives of this study were to determine the knowledge and attitudes of Nkonkobe municipality employees about HIV/AIDS, to identify the strengths and weaknesses in the municipality’s existing HIV/AIDS initiatives and to evaluate what information is needed to enhance the employees’ HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes. A non-experimental quantitative research design was used in this study with a sample of 40 Nkonkobe municipality employees. Overall the respondents indicated to have good knowledge and positive attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and people living with it. There are, however, the following concerns: a) some respondents are not sure about basic modes of HIV transmission and whether there is a difference between HIV and AIDS; b) some respondents tend to be ignorant towards HIV/AIDS, not interested or trying to avoid the topic. These concerns need to be addressed to enhance the employees’ HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes. The results showed that there are currently no existing HIV/AIDS initiatives at Nkonkobe municipality and that there is a definite need for that to make information available to employees.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die kennis en houdings van Nkonkobe munisipaliteit werknemers rondom MIV/VIGS vas te stel, die sterk- en swakpunte van die munisipaliteit se huidige MIV/VIGS inisiatiewe te identifiseer en om vas te stel watter inligting nodig is om die werknemers se kennis en houdings rondom MIV/VIGS te verbeter. ‘n Nie-eksperimentele kwantitatiewe navorsingsontwerp is in die studie gebruik, met ‘n steekproef van 40 Nkonkobe munisipaliteit werknemers. Die deelnemers het oor die algemeen goeie kennis en positiewe houdings gehad rakende MIV/VIGS en mense wat daarmee leef. Daar is egter kommer rakende die volgende: a) sommige deelnemers is nie seker oor die basiese maniere van MIV-oordrag en of daar ‘n verskil tussen MIV en VIGS is nie; b) sommige deelnemers blyk oningelig oor MIV/VIGS te wees, hulle stel nie belang nie of probeer die onderwerp vermy. Hierdie punte moet aangespreek word om die werknemers se kennis en houdings rondom MIV/VIGS te verbeter. Die resultate het getoon dat daar huidiglik geen MIV/VIGS inisiatiewe by die Nkonkobe munisipaliteit bestaan nie en dat daar ‘n definitiewe behoefte daarvoor is sodat inligting aan die werknemers beskikbaar gestel kan word.
Description
Thesis (MPhil) -- Stellenbosch University, 2008.
Keywords
AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Public opinion, HIV infections -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Public opinion, Municipal officials and employees -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Attitudes, Health attitudes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape, HIV-positive persons -- Employment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape, AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape, Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management
Citation