Determinants of HIV testing behaviour among male South African construction workers

ABSTRACT

The global trend of poorer outcomes across the HIV treatment cascade for men has drawn attention to the importance of engaging men in prevention and treatment services. The South African construction industry is one of the economic sectors most adversely affected by HIV/AIDS. Previous research on HIV testing behaviour among workers in the industry has revealed that male workers are less likely to be tested than female workers. Given this gender differential, this study employed a field-administered survey to gather data from 450 site-based, male construction workers in Western Cape, South Africa. An integrated model comprising demographic, cognitive, and behavioural factors was then hypothesised to explain HIV testing behaviour. Bivariate analysis and structural equation modelling were then used to test the model. Findings indicate that HIV knowledge, having previously had an STI, and possessing a positive attitude towards HIV testing are terminal predictors of testing behaviour. As a strategy for positively influencing testing behaviour, employers should ensure that effective communication about HIV testing is established with workers across all levels of education and ethnic groups. Interventions relating to risky sexual behaviour need particular attention, and where possible HIV testing should be coupled with general STI screening.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV testing behaviour
• HIV knowledge
• risky sexual behaviour
• male construction workers
• predictive modelling
• South Africa

Acknowledgements

Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment of the University of Cape Town. The NRF grant holder acknowledges that opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in any publication generated by NRF supported research are those of the authors, and that the NRF accepts no liability whatsoever in this regard.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work is based in part on research supported by the National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF) (grant number [UID] 85376).