Use and neglect of best-practice HIV/AIDS programme guides by South African companies

Abstract

Numerous guidelines set out best-practice policies for HIV/AIDS interventions in the workplace. This study analysed 14 recognised codes and guidelines to gain an understanding of the theoretical consensus regarding the key components of best-practice workplace HIV/AIDS interventions. Nine key components of best practice were drawn from the analysis; interviews aimed to verify these components by determining the extent to which HIV/AIDS practitioners in South Africa share a similar understanding of best practice. Participants in a research questionnaire and semi-structured interviews included managers responsible for company HIV/AIDS programmes, HIV/AIDS experts, consultants, and disease management service providers. There was a high level of agreement between the practitioners who were interviewed and the codes and guidelines that were analysed concerning what best practice entails. However, reported usage of the recognised codes and guidelines to inform workplace HIV/AIDS interventions was low. Although large companies in South Africa may recognise certain interventions as examples of best practice, it appears that these are not being readily implemented. This appears to be partly because the cost-benefit of a recommended intervention is not immediately apparent or conclusive, and also because the concept of best practice with respect to workplace HIV/AIDS interventions is not yet fully accepted.

Keywords: administrators/managers; company programmes; cost-effectiveness; guidelines; planning and management; policy; private sector; public sector; workplace

African Journal of AIDS Research 2008, 7(3): 375–388