An exploratory study of the knowledge, attitudes and sexual practices of bulk vehicle operators at a company in Gaborone Botswana

Date
2014-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the state of transmission and prevention knowledge as well as attitudes on HIV and AIDS, among a group of specialist trained long distance truck drivers, known as bulk vehicle operators, at a company transporting dangerous goods in Gaborone, Botswana. It examines the prevalence of both condom use, condom use consistency, as well as the extent of sexual partner concurrency within this group, taking their demographic and socioeconomic characteristics into consideration. This study found low barriers to condom use, high levels of reported current condom use, but lower consistency of condoms particularly with wives and regular partners and widespread practice of multiple sexual partners among this group. Over half of bulk vehicle operators perceived themselves as being exposed to sexual temptation outside their usual unions and at risk of HIV infection because of the nature of their occupation. Conducted in the context of well-documented occupational vulnerabilities of distance truck drivers and organizational vulnerabilities of road freight companies to HIV and AIDS, the research considered the extent to which participants found the workplace non-discriminatory and accommodative to those living with HIV and AIDS. The study concludes by making recommendations on the ways company X‟s HIV/AIDS workplace programmes may be strengthened – which recommendations are based on the opinions and practices of the bulk vehicle employees, company X‟s most critical occupation.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was ‟n verkennende studie na die kennis, houdings en seksuele praktyke van 'n steekproef swaarvragmotorbestuurders by 'n vervoeronderneming in Gaborone, Botswana. Die studie ondersoek die mate waartoe kondome gereeld deur die bestuurders gebruik word en wat hulle persepsie van die gebruik van kondome is. Aspekte soos meervuldige verhoudings en die invloed daarvan op die verspreiding van MIV/Vigs word onder die soeklig geplaas. Meer as die helfte van die vragmotorbestuurders het hulle as besonder blootgestel aan seksuele versoeking beskou en hulle het ook aangetoon dat hulle seksuele gedrag anders in as in 'n gewone verhouding. Die gedrag van vragmotobestuurders as drywers van die pandemie word verder toegelig in die studie en aanbevelings word gemaak oor wyses waarop ondernemings in die swaarvragmotorbedryf kan meehelp om die pandemie in Botswana te beveg. Hierdie is waarskynlik die eerste deeglike studie onder swaarvragmotorbestuurders en die resultate van hierdie studie behoort van groot waarde te wees vir die groter Suider-Afrikaanse swaarvragmotorindustrie.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
Keywords
UCTD, Dissertations -- HIV/AIDS management, Theses -- HIV/AIDS management, Dissertations -- Industrial psychology, Theses -- Industrial psychology, Truck drivers -- Sexual behaviour -- Botswana -- Gaborone, HIV infections -- Botswana -- Gaborone, Condom use -- Botswana -- Gaborone
Citation