Combating HIV and AIDS in South African construction through effective communication

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Date
2004
Authors
Haupt, Theo C.
Munshi, Meenakshi
Smallwood, John
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
English: It is increasingly being recognized that the only viable means of preventing the spread of new HIV infections is sexual behavior change. Behavior change programs should include information on risk that is communicated often, repetitively and intensively to workers. Effective HIV and AIDS communication involves providing relevant and meaningful information accurately, consistently, reiteratively, and repetitively using multiple methods, mediums, and languages including vernacular, that build on previous HIV and AIDS knowledge while at the same time recognizing the differing personal backgrounds of workers in an environment conducive to open and uninhibited interaction. The authors argue from anecdotal evidence gathered during a series of national multi stakeholder workshops as well as the findings of knowledge, attitude and behavior (KAB) surveys of two samples, namely in South Africa and in Namibia, for greater involvement of construction employers in purposeful structured management led and targeted HIV and AIDS communication programs designed to influ ence sexual behavior. Considering that television and radio were the most popular and influential mediums of communication, employers are encouraged to support, reinforce and complement HIV and AIDS campaigns and messages via these mediums as part of primary health promotion programs. Further, the authors recommend that employers create opportunities for HIV and AIDS education of workers by their peers.
Afrikaans: Daar word toenemend besef dat die enigste werklike manier om verspreiding van nuwe HIV infeksies te verhoed, is dat seksuele gedrag moet verander. Gedragsveranderingsprogramme behoort inligting oor risikos te bevat en behoort gereeld, herhaaldelik en intensief aan werkers gekommunikeer te word. Effektiewe Hiv en Vigs kommunikasie behoort die verskaffing van relevante en betekenisvolle inligting wat akkuraat, konstant, herhaaldelik met die gebruik van verskeie metodes, mediums en tale, insluitend die moedertaal van werkers, wat op vorige kennis oor Hiv en Vigs geskoei is en wat terselfdertyd die verskillende persoonlike agtergronde van werkers in ’n omgewing in ag neem en wat oop interaksie bevorder en erken, in te sluit. Die outeurs se argumente handel oor anekdotiese bewyse wat versamel is gedurende ’n reeks nasionale multi aandeelhouer werkswinkels asook die bevindings van kennis, houdings en gedrags opnames van twee proewe wat gedoen is, een in Suid Afrika en een in Namibië. Hierdie proewe is gedoen om groter betrokkenheid van konstruk siewerkgewers te verkry in doelgerigte gestruktureerde bestuursgerigte Hiv en Vigs kommunikasie programme, spesifiek ontwerp om seksuele gedrag te beïnvloed. As in gedagte gehou word dat televisie en radio die mees gewilde en invloedryke mediums van kommunikasie is, word werkgewers aangemoedig om Hiv en Vigs veldtogte en boodskappe deur hierdie mediums as deel van primêre gesondheidsprogramme te ondersteun en te versterk. Verder word deur die outeurs aanbeveel dat werkgewers die geleenthede behoort te skep vir Hiv en Vigs onderrig vir werkers.
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Keywords
Communication, HIV/AIDS, Media, Behavior change
Citation
Haupt, T. C., Munshi, M., & Smallwood, J. (2004). Combating HIV and AIDS in South African construction through effective communication. Acta Structilia, 11(1&2), 26-43.