The effect of conducting workplace Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) on-site on VCT uptake
Date
2005-04
Authors
Neluheni, Tshiwela Phillipine
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) has only fairly recently been recognised as
an important entry point to HIV/AIDS prevention and care interventions e.g. entry
point to accessing services available in a workplace HIV/AIDS management
programmes, or prerequisite for other services like prevention of mother to child
transmission (MTCT) programmes. VCT promotes risk assessment and risk reduction
strategies for the individuals that have undergone pre- and post-test counselling. It
provides benefits for both those that test HIV positive and those that test negative.
This research study is based on VCT that is provided as part of a comprehensive
workplace HIV/AIDS management programme. The success of VCT has highlighted
the need for other care and support services for both the tested and the counsellors.
With specific reference to the Alexander Forbes Direct Aids Intervention (DAI)
programme, which was specially designed to assist companies manage and mitigate
the impact and risk of HIV/AIDS on their workforce, VCT was initially only done
off-site i.e. at doctors` rooms or pathology laboratories.
The DAI VCT uptake remained unsatisfactorily low in the first year and six months
post-inception of the programme, the need for the VCT strategy modification was
acknowledged. VCT-on-site days (on the company premises) were scheduled and
implemented at a number of companies that are on the DAI programme. The aim of
this research study is to look at the possible advantageous effect of conducting
workplace VCT-on-site on VCT uptake and the appropriate design for this
investigation is the Before-After design.
In the sampling, two experimental (E1, E2) and two control (C1, C2) groups are used
to test the null hypothesis. E1 is a total of 600 employees from an IT company, and
C1 is a total of about 600 employees from a pharmaceutical company. E2 and C2 both
have populations of about 3000 employees. E2 is a cellular network service provider
whilst C2 is a financial service company.
VCT-on-site implementation was introduced at E1 and E2. For E1, VCT-on-site was
conducted in May, November, December 2003, and March 2004 respectively, with no
VCT-on-site conducted at C1. For E2, VCT-on-site was offered on monthly basis
from June 2003 to April 2004 excluding January 2004, and none offered at C2. VCToff-
site was available to all groups throughout the entire study period. Data was
collected for a period of 12 months viz. from May 2003 to April 2004, in all
companies.
The statistical technique used was Chi Square (Shavelson, 1988) for both sets of
experimental/control groups of 600 and 3000 respectively. The hypothesis was tested
and there was a significant increase in VCT uptake after introducing workplace VCTon-
site. The increase is as a result of the awareness raised through information imparted, the convenience, availability, and accessibility of the VCT services.
The conclusion of the study based on the data presented is that workplace VCT-onsite
well planned and properly executed undoubtedly increases the VCT uptake. A
hypothesis for future further studies has been developed.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vrywillige Voorligting en Toetsing (VVT) (soos tans veskaf word deur Alexander Forbes Direkte Vigs-intervensie Programme) is 'n relatief nuwe benadering to voorkoming en behandeling van MIV/Vigs. Die doelwit van hierdie studie is die bepaling van die doeltreffendheid van VVT by die werksplek. 'n Voor-en na-ontwerp is vir die studie gebruik met 600 werknemers van 'n farmaseutiese groep as eksperimentele groep en 3000 werknemers van 'n sellulêre netwerkverspreider as kontrolegroep. Die nul-hipotese wat getoets is was die postulaat dat VVT by die werksplek 'n beduidende beter opname van Anti-virale medikasie sou teweegbring. Chi-kwadraat is as ontledingstegniek gebruik. Resultate dui daarop dat daar 'n beduidende beter opnmame van Anri-virale medikasie is indien die VVT by die werkplek gedoen word. Die studie spel die implikasies van hierdie bevinding uit en maak voorstelle vir verdere studies om voort te bou op die belangrike bevindings van hierdie studie.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vrywillige Voorligting en Toetsing (VVT) (soos tans veskaf word deur Alexander Forbes Direkte Vigs-intervensie Programme) is 'n relatief nuwe benadering to voorkoming en behandeling van MIV/Vigs. Die doelwit van hierdie studie is die bepaling van die doeltreffendheid van VVT by die werksplek. 'n Voor-en na-ontwerp is vir die studie gebruik met 600 werknemers van 'n farmaseutiese groep as eksperimentele groep en 3000 werknemers van 'n sellulêre netwerkverspreider as kontrolegroep. Die nul-hipotese wat getoets is was die postulaat dat VVT by die werksplek 'n beduidende beter opname van Anti-virale medikasie sou teweegbring. Chi-kwadraat is as ontledingstegniek gebruik. Resultate dui daarop dat daar 'n beduidende beter opnmame van Anri-virale medikasie is indien die VVT by die werkplek gedoen word. Die studie spel die implikasies van hierdie bevinding uit en maak voorstelle vir verdere studies om voort te bou op die belangrike bevindings van hierdie studie.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005.
Keywords
HIV infections -- Diagnosis -- South Africa, AIDS (Disease) -- Diagnosis -- South Africa, HIV-positive persons -- Counseling of -- South Africa, AIDS (Disease) --Patients -- Counseling of -- South Africa, AIDS (Disease) -- South Africa -- Prevention, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology