Effectiveness of different interventions to reduce occupational sitting among office administrators at Rhodes University
- Authors: Malesa, Thato
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Standing position , Sedentary behavior , Work environment , Employee health promotion , Office furniture -- Design , Industrial hygiene , Employees -- Health risk assessment , Human engineering , Compliance
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166403 , vital:41360
- Description: Background: Sitting for prolonged periods is common in the working environment. Office workers are exposed to long periods of sitting time at work. Research has reported associations between prolonged sitting and negative health implications. As such studies have proposed different interventions aimed at reducing sitting times in the workplace. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two different interventions, physical intervention (sit-stand worktables) and personal intervention (instruction to stretch) on compliance and reducing occupational sitting behaviour. The study also aimed to investigate the effectiveness of interventions in improving or impairing mood. Methods: The study took the form of a fieldbased study atRhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa. Fifteen full–time office workers in different divisions participated in the study. Participants were randomly allocated to either the physical or personal intervention group. In both intervention groups, partic ipants were prompted to stand for five minutes every hour during the workday to either work in a standing position or perform stretches. Over the course of the experiment, desk occupancy, sitting/standing time and mood effect were recorded in both intervention groups Both intervention groups were monitored for a period of three months (58 days). Results: The study found that the physical intervention group was an effective approach to reduce prolonged sitting in the workplace in comparison to the personal intervention group. Over the course of the experiment, there was sustain usage of interventions in both groups, however, in the physical intervention group desk usage decreased overtime. The findings of the study also show that some participants were more compliant with the study procedures than others. It was also found that mood improved upon introducing interventions in the workplace. However, with the outcomes of the results, the study acknowledges that several factors emerged which are likely to impact compliance, which future studies may investigate. Conclusion: Although sit-stand worktables are expensive, it seems like introducing them was successful in reducing sitting time and changing sitting behaviour in comparison to an intervention that instruct s individuals to stand up and stretch.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Malesa, Thato
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Standing position , Sedentary behavior , Work environment , Employee health promotion , Office furniture -- Design , Industrial hygiene , Employees -- Health risk assessment , Human engineering , Compliance
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/166403 , vital:41360
- Description: Background: Sitting for prolonged periods is common in the working environment. Office workers are exposed to long periods of sitting time at work. Research has reported associations between prolonged sitting and negative health implications. As such studies have proposed different interventions aimed at reducing sitting times in the workplace. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two different interventions, physical intervention (sit-stand worktables) and personal intervention (instruction to stretch) on compliance and reducing occupational sitting behaviour. The study also aimed to investigate the effectiveness of interventions in improving or impairing mood. Methods: The study took the form of a fieldbased study atRhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa. Fifteen full–time office workers in different divisions participated in the study. Participants were randomly allocated to either the physical or personal intervention group. In both intervention groups, partic ipants were prompted to stand for five minutes every hour during the workday to either work in a standing position or perform stretches. Over the course of the experiment, desk occupancy, sitting/standing time and mood effect were recorded in both intervention groups Both intervention groups were monitored for a period of three months (58 days). Results: The study found that the physical intervention group was an effective approach to reduce prolonged sitting in the workplace in comparison to the personal intervention group. Over the course of the experiment, there was sustain usage of interventions in both groups, however, in the physical intervention group desk usage decreased overtime. The findings of the study also show that some participants were more compliant with the study procedures than others. It was also found that mood improved upon introducing interventions in the workplace. However, with the outcomes of the results, the study acknowledges that several factors emerged which are likely to impact compliance, which future studies may investigate. Conclusion: Although sit-stand worktables are expensive, it seems like introducing them was successful in reducing sitting time and changing sitting behaviour in comparison to an intervention that instruct s individuals to stand up and stretch.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The relationship between employee wellness and work engagement in a non-governmental organisation
- Authors: Coopasamy, Kubashinie
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Employee health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47685 , vital:40323
- Description: Employee wellness and work engagement have a positive influence on organisational behaviour. The main aim of the research study was to understand whether a relationship existed between employee wellness and work engagement in a Non-Governmental organisation (NGO). The research used a cross-sectional design and a composite questionnaire to measure employee wellness and work engagement. This was a paper and pen-based questionnaire which was distributed to 160 employees. Of the 160 questionnaires distributed only 155 participants responded. These participants are employed at NGO’s based in Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and East London. An exploratory factor analysis determined a new more reliable factor structure for PWS. Employee wellness lost items and became a three-factor structure. The results showed that the new EFA model was best suited for the present study. Work Engagement remained a three-factor structure. T-tests and ANOVAs revealed significant differences between the constructs and the demographic groups. Correlations showed the main findings of the study to be a relationship between employee wellness and work engagement in a non-governmental organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Coopasamy, Kubashinie
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Employee health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47685 , vital:40323
- Description: Employee wellness and work engagement have a positive influence on organisational behaviour. The main aim of the research study was to understand whether a relationship existed between employee wellness and work engagement in a Non-Governmental organisation (NGO). The research used a cross-sectional design and a composite questionnaire to measure employee wellness and work engagement. This was a paper and pen-based questionnaire which was distributed to 160 employees. Of the 160 questionnaires distributed only 155 participants responded. These participants are employed at NGO’s based in Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and East London. An exploratory factor analysis determined a new more reliable factor structure for PWS. Employee wellness lost items and became a three-factor structure. The results showed that the new EFA model was best suited for the present study. Work Engagement remained a three-factor structure. T-tests and ANOVAs revealed significant differences between the constructs and the demographic groups. Correlations showed the main findings of the study to be a relationship between employee wellness and work engagement in a non-governmental organisation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Collaborative health literacy development: a World Health Organization workplace health promotion approach to address tobacco use
- Authors: Duxbury, Theodore Orlando
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Tobacco use -- Health aspects , Smoking -- Health aspects , Employee health promotion , Employee health promotion -- Computer programs , Rhodes University -- Employees -- Tobacco use
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/104116 , vital:29930
- Description: Background: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are a major global public health threat and tobacco use in particular is the leading cause of preventable illness and mortality globally. Furthermore, vulnerable and socially disadvantaged people get sicker and die sooner, especially because they are at higher risk of being exposed to harmful products such as tobacco and have limited access to health services. Tobacco use also has a major impact on the workplace, adversely affecting work productivity and increasing absenteeism. Both the living and work environments, therefore, play an important role in contributing towards the NCD epidemic. Demographics, culture, behaviour change reluctance and health literacy are all factors which exacerbate tobacco prevalence in South Africa. Workplace health promotion, however, is not well established in many workplaces. This study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a culturallysensitive and contextually-appropriate collaborative workplace health promotion literacy programme on tobacco use, utilizing tailored health information leaflets and the Rhodes University peer educators support staff, guided by the World Health Organization Workplace Health Promotion Framework. Method: The research was conducted using a participatory action research approach, which involved four phases: Firstly, the Exploratory phase assessed tobacco-related health promotion policies and practices at Rhodes University; and established facilitating and constraining factors related to tobacco use. Secondly, the Educational health promotion phase involved designing and testing a health promotion educational intervention to address tobacco use related challenges, which took the form of culturally sensitive and appropriate health information leaflets to be used as an educational intervention Thirdly, in the Implementation phase health promotion training workshops were conducted with volunteering Rhodes University Peer Educators. Finally, an Evaluation phase involved evaluating the tobacco health promotion programme presented to the Rhodes University Peer Educators through a focus group discussion; and evaluating Peer Educator recall on the tobacco related health information discussed during the training workshops through a post-post intervention questionnaire. Eight semi-structured interviews (SSIs) and seven focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with support staff, peer educators and key stakeholders to establish the need for a comprehensive workplace health promotion initiative, and to identify the facilitating and constraining factors to conducting such an initiative on tobacco use at the University. Three health information leaflets (HILs) were developed collaboratively with the Peer Educators following a series of scientific, end-user testing approaches. The HILs were tested for readability, comprehension, actionability and suitability. A four-day health promotion training programme was conducted to improve user friendliness, memory retention and recall of the HILs by the peer educators and to improve tobacco related health literacy aspects. The participants’ memory recall was evaluated using a pre- and post-, and post-post-intervention questionnaire to evaluate knowledge transfer. The study participants were also equipped with the completed HILs to distribute to their peers and to use as reference sources of information when needed in future. Results: The peer educators and institutional management supported the need for a tobacco workplace health promotion intervention. The intervention and evaluation phase of this study proved that health information material developed was readable, actionable, suitable, userfriendly, culturally sensitive and contextually appropriate. The workshops resulted in a significant increase in the participants’ tobacco related health knowledge. Through the adoption of a collaborative approach to the research, the participants felt empowered and ready to be agents of change amongst their peers in the workplace. Recommendations: The collective use of external expert reviewers, end-user testing techniques and validated computer programmes are recommended to improve the validity of health promotion research outcomes. A longitudinal study that focus on behaviour change, specifically, with health evaluation and monitoring aspects could be conducted as the next step to this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Duxbury, Theodore Orlando
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Tobacco use -- Health aspects , Smoking -- Health aspects , Employee health promotion , Employee health promotion -- Computer programs , Rhodes University -- Employees -- Tobacco use
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MPharm
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/104116 , vital:29930
- Description: Background: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are a major global public health threat and tobacco use in particular is the leading cause of preventable illness and mortality globally. Furthermore, vulnerable and socially disadvantaged people get sicker and die sooner, especially because they are at higher risk of being exposed to harmful products such as tobacco and have limited access to health services. Tobacco use also has a major impact on the workplace, adversely affecting work productivity and increasing absenteeism. Both the living and work environments, therefore, play an important role in contributing towards the NCD epidemic. Demographics, culture, behaviour change reluctance and health literacy are all factors which exacerbate tobacco prevalence in South Africa. Workplace health promotion, however, is not well established in many workplaces. This study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a culturallysensitive and contextually-appropriate collaborative workplace health promotion literacy programme on tobacco use, utilizing tailored health information leaflets and the Rhodes University peer educators support staff, guided by the World Health Organization Workplace Health Promotion Framework. Method: The research was conducted using a participatory action research approach, which involved four phases: Firstly, the Exploratory phase assessed tobacco-related health promotion policies and practices at Rhodes University; and established facilitating and constraining factors related to tobacco use. Secondly, the Educational health promotion phase involved designing and testing a health promotion educational intervention to address tobacco use related challenges, which took the form of culturally sensitive and appropriate health information leaflets to be used as an educational intervention Thirdly, in the Implementation phase health promotion training workshops were conducted with volunteering Rhodes University Peer Educators. Finally, an Evaluation phase involved evaluating the tobacco health promotion programme presented to the Rhodes University Peer Educators through a focus group discussion; and evaluating Peer Educator recall on the tobacco related health information discussed during the training workshops through a post-post intervention questionnaire. Eight semi-structured interviews (SSIs) and seven focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with support staff, peer educators and key stakeholders to establish the need for a comprehensive workplace health promotion initiative, and to identify the facilitating and constraining factors to conducting such an initiative on tobacco use at the University. Three health information leaflets (HILs) were developed collaboratively with the Peer Educators following a series of scientific, end-user testing approaches. The HILs were tested for readability, comprehension, actionability and suitability. A four-day health promotion training programme was conducted to improve user friendliness, memory retention and recall of the HILs by the peer educators and to improve tobacco related health literacy aspects. The participants’ memory recall was evaluated using a pre- and post-, and post-post-intervention questionnaire to evaluate knowledge transfer. The study participants were also equipped with the completed HILs to distribute to their peers and to use as reference sources of information when needed in future. Results: The peer educators and institutional management supported the need for a tobacco workplace health promotion intervention. The intervention and evaluation phase of this study proved that health information material developed was readable, actionable, suitable, userfriendly, culturally sensitive and contextually appropriate. The workshops resulted in a significant increase in the participants’ tobacco related health knowledge. Through the adoption of a collaborative approach to the research, the participants felt empowered and ready to be agents of change amongst their peers in the workplace. Recommendations: The collective use of external expert reviewers, end-user testing techniques and validated computer programmes are recommended to improve the validity of health promotion research outcomes. A longitudinal study that focus on behaviour change, specifically, with health evaluation and monitoring aspects could be conducted as the next step to this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
The effect of total standing duration during sit-stand regimes on cognitive performance, rating of perceived exertion and heart rate frequency
- Authors: Berndt, Ethan
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Standing position , Sedentary behavior , Work environment , Employee health promotion , Office furniture -- Design , Industrial hygiene , Employees -- Health risk assessment , Human engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7433 , vital:21260
- Description: Although there may be numerous health benefits of sit-stand workstations, the effects of sedentary or non-sedentary work configurations on cognitive performance and executive function remain unclear (Bantoft et al., 2016). It is essential to determine any performance effects of these different work configurations; as improvements in the workplace, working posture and discomfort need to be justified in terms of improvements (or no deterioration) in work performance (Liao and Drury, 2000). The aim of the current research was to investigate the effect of two sit-stand regimes differing in total standing duration, on cognitive task performance, physiological responses and subjective ratings of perceived exertion. This laboratory based investigation incorporated a repeated measures design, where a test battery was utilized. Three experimental conditions were tested during three separate testing sessions by 30 participants. Condition 2 (15 minutes standing, followed by 45 minutes seated) and Condition 3 (15 minutes seated, followed by 15 minutes standing, followed by 15 minutes seated, followed by 15 minutes standing) were compared to each other and Condition 1 (60 minutes seated). The findings of this study show that even though the two different sit-stand regimes did not result in a significant impact on cognitive task performance, an immediate postural effect for psychomotor response time and a delayed postural effect for working memory were found. The participants perceived Condition 3 as the most physically exerting condition. Heart rate frequency was not significantly different between the conditions, but the immediate seated posture had a significantly lower heart rate frequency compared to the standing posture; indicating that being seated elicited lower energy expenditure compared to standing. Heart rate frequency while standing had a greater degree of variation compared to being seated. Taking the findings of this study into account, it is recommended that: one should be seated while performing this type of working memory task; that one should be standing while performing this type of psychomotor task; that the recommendation that implementing standing at work can be used as a blanket strategy to increase energy expenditure in all individuals needs to be explored further and that individual differences may impact energy expenditure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Berndt, Ethan
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Standing position , Sedentary behavior , Work environment , Employee health promotion , Office furniture -- Design , Industrial hygiene , Employees -- Health risk assessment , Human engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/7433 , vital:21260
- Description: Although there may be numerous health benefits of sit-stand workstations, the effects of sedentary or non-sedentary work configurations on cognitive performance and executive function remain unclear (Bantoft et al., 2016). It is essential to determine any performance effects of these different work configurations; as improvements in the workplace, working posture and discomfort need to be justified in terms of improvements (or no deterioration) in work performance (Liao and Drury, 2000). The aim of the current research was to investigate the effect of two sit-stand regimes differing in total standing duration, on cognitive task performance, physiological responses and subjective ratings of perceived exertion. This laboratory based investigation incorporated a repeated measures design, where a test battery was utilized. Three experimental conditions were tested during three separate testing sessions by 30 participants. Condition 2 (15 minutes standing, followed by 45 minutes seated) and Condition 3 (15 minutes seated, followed by 15 minutes standing, followed by 15 minutes seated, followed by 15 minutes standing) were compared to each other and Condition 1 (60 minutes seated). The findings of this study show that even though the two different sit-stand regimes did not result in a significant impact on cognitive task performance, an immediate postural effect for psychomotor response time and a delayed postural effect for working memory were found. The participants perceived Condition 3 as the most physically exerting condition. Heart rate frequency was not significantly different between the conditions, but the immediate seated posture had a significantly lower heart rate frequency compared to the standing posture; indicating that being seated elicited lower energy expenditure compared to standing. Heart rate frequency while standing had a greater degree of variation compared to being seated. Taking the findings of this study into account, it is recommended that: one should be seated while performing this type of working memory task; that one should be standing while performing this type of psychomotor task; that the recommendation that implementing standing at work can be used as a blanket strategy to increase energy expenditure in all individuals needs to be explored further and that individual differences may impact energy expenditure.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Wellness strategies for unskilled and semi-skilled employees in the built environment
- Authors: Dido, Romano William
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6929 , vital:21168
- Description: More employees in organisations in the built environment are beginning to suffer from ill health related to work when compared with employees in other industries. There are many reasons for this, such as: unsuitable working conditions, physical demands linked to the occupation and the high proportion of transient unskilled and semi-skilled employees. A study concerning the wellness levels of unskilled and semi-skilled employees therefore contributes to the understanding and improvement of employee health within the industry. The main objective of this study was therefore to identify the wellness levels of employees in the built environment and their perceptions of the extent to which their company provides wellness interventions or strategies. The methodological approach used in this study was within a quantitative paradigm, and a questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument. The findings indicated that the employees engaged in healthy activities and that the organisation encouraged the employees to maintain healthy lifestyles. However, there were areas that required consideration. Specifically, more attention should be given to budgeting for wellness interventions, regular health screenings should take place and more attention to substance abuse is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Dido, Romano William
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6929 , vital:21168
- Description: More employees in organisations in the built environment are beginning to suffer from ill health related to work when compared with employees in other industries. There are many reasons for this, such as: unsuitable working conditions, physical demands linked to the occupation and the high proportion of transient unskilled and semi-skilled employees. A study concerning the wellness levels of unskilled and semi-skilled employees therefore contributes to the understanding and improvement of employee health within the industry. The main objective of this study was therefore to identify the wellness levels of employees in the built environment and their perceptions of the extent to which their company provides wellness interventions or strategies. The methodological approach used in this study was within a quantitative paradigm, and a questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument. The findings indicated that the employees engaged in healthy activities and that the organisation encouraged the employees to maintain healthy lifestyles. However, there were areas that required consideration. Specifically, more attention should be given to budgeting for wellness interventions, regular health screenings should take place and more attention to substance abuse is required.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Factors affecting the utilisation of a workplace voluntary counselling and testing programme in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Jusayo, Nomonde
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: HIV infections -- South Africa -- Prevention , HIV infections -- Treatment , Employee health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9428 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010273 , HIV infections -- South Africa -- Prevention , HIV infections -- Treatment , Employee health promotion
- Description: The world has entered the third decade of the HIV and AIDS epidemic under different times in which the epidemic is treatable. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) (2005) declares HIV and AIDS a developmental crisis destroying developmental gains over generations. Since HIV and AIDS affect the most productive segment of the labour force, it is therefore not only a threat to development but also to the world of work without which development will be sacrificed (ILO, 2001). Collaborative response efforts that seek to mitigate the HIV pandemic by government, business and higher education institutions have been fraught with challenges. The main challenge that beset these efforts is that, in the absence of an HIV vaccine, voluntary counselling and testing remains the gateway to access treatment and care. Regrettably, participation in VCT has been confronted by challenges of low utilisation. This precedes the objectives of this study, which were to explore and describe factors that serve as barriers and facilitators of workplace VCT programmes with the objective to improve participation in these programmes. The current study was a product of a qualitative and exploratory-descriptive research design. A nonprobability convenience sampling method was used to sample participants for this study. The targeted population in this study were the non-academic employees of an academic institution in the Eastern Cape. Data was collected by means of focus group discussions and by using semi-structured interviews. The focus group samples comprised of an equal number of men and women with an overall participation of fifty-six participants. Data obtained was transcribed, thematically analysed and coded using Henning, Van Rensburg, and Smit's (2004) qualitative analysis and interpretation method. Findings of this research revealed that factors that facilitate and inhibit voluntary counselling and testing are psychosocial and cultural by nature. At psychosocial level, participants reported factors that facilitate voluntary counselling and testing to include psychological readiness to go for HIV testing, reassurances of confidentiality of HIV test results and normalising HIV testing (making the process more like that for screening and diagnostic testing). Cultural factors included cultural practices and beliefs such as "intonjane" and traditional circumcision - positive cultural nurturers that could facilitate VCT participation. Results of this study showed a lack of basic knowledge about VCT and fear of knowing one's status, fear of breach of confidentiality, fear of being stigmatised and a lack of trust towards health professional as the major psychosocial factors that serve as barriers to VCT participation. The cultural barriers to VCT pointed to hegemonic masculinity as a socially constructed gender identity that encourages gender inequalities and undermines efforts to improve HIV testing. The study suggested that strategies to increase VCT participation should consider leadership support of VCT programmes, incentivisation of VCT programmes, institutionalisation of HIV and AIDS education and the establishment of integrated wellness services for employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Jusayo, Nomonde
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: HIV infections -- South Africa -- Prevention , HIV infections -- Treatment , Employee health promotion
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9428 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010273 , HIV infections -- South Africa -- Prevention , HIV infections -- Treatment , Employee health promotion
- Description: The world has entered the third decade of the HIV and AIDS epidemic under different times in which the epidemic is treatable. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) (2005) declares HIV and AIDS a developmental crisis destroying developmental gains over generations. Since HIV and AIDS affect the most productive segment of the labour force, it is therefore not only a threat to development but also to the world of work without which development will be sacrificed (ILO, 2001). Collaborative response efforts that seek to mitigate the HIV pandemic by government, business and higher education institutions have been fraught with challenges. The main challenge that beset these efforts is that, in the absence of an HIV vaccine, voluntary counselling and testing remains the gateway to access treatment and care. Regrettably, participation in VCT has been confronted by challenges of low utilisation. This precedes the objectives of this study, which were to explore and describe factors that serve as barriers and facilitators of workplace VCT programmes with the objective to improve participation in these programmes. The current study was a product of a qualitative and exploratory-descriptive research design. A nonprobability convenience sampling method was used to sample participants for this study. The targeted population in this study were the non-academic employees of an academic institution in the Eastern Cape. Data was collected by means of focus group discussions and by using semi-structured interviews. The focus group samples comprised of an equal number of men and women with an overall participation of fifty-six participants. Data obtained was transcribed, thematically analysed and coded using Henning, Van Rensburg, and Smit's (2004) qualitative analysis and interpretation method. Findings of this research revealed that factors that facilitate and inhibit voluntary counselling and testing are psychosocial and cultural by nature. At psychosocial level, participants reported factors that facilitate voluntary counselling and testing to include psychological readiness to go for HIV testing, reassurances of confidentiality of HIV test results and normalising HIV testing (making the process more like that for screening and diagnostic testing). Cultural factors included cultural practices and beliefs such as "intonjane" and traditional circumcision - positive cultural nurturers that could facilitate VCT participation. Results of this study showed a lack of basic knowledge about VCT and fear of knowing one's status, fear of breach of confidentiality, fear of being stigmatised and a lack of trust towards health professional as the major psychosocial factors that serve as barriers to VCT participation. The cultural barriers to VCT pointed to hegemonic masculinity as a socially constructed gender identity that encourages gender inequalities and undermines efforts to improve HIV testing. The study suggested that strategies to increase VCT participation should consider leadership support of VCT programmes, incentivisation of VCT programmes, institutionalisation of HIV and AIDS education and the establishment of integrated wellness services for employees.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
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