Psychosocial and behavioural correlates of attitudes towards antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a sample of South African mineworkers

Abstract

Despite being one of the worst affected sectors in South Africa, the mining sector has proven to be one of the most active in intervention efforts in the fight against HIV and AIDS (Ellis, 2007). Owing to low uptake rates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in mining companies in recent years (Connelly & Rosen, 2006) and the positive relationship between attitudes towards ART and ART uptake (Cooper et al., 2002; Horne, Cooper, Gellaitry, Leake, & Fisher, 2007), this study sought to describe and investigate the psychosocial and behavioural correlates of attitudes towards ART in a sample of South African mineworkers. A total of 806 mineworkers from a large South African mine participated in this quantitative study. Despite a high rate of HIV testing behaviour (83.0%) as well as favourable attitudes towards ART, analysis indicated that temporary employees and contractors were more vulnerable in terms of HIV risk, HIV testing behaviours and ART knowledge and attitudes. Employees who had more positive attitudes towards ART were more knowledgeable of ART and, importantly, had a more favourable attitude towards the mine's HIV/AIDS treatment programme. These findings are discussed in relation to the low ART uptake rates in this context and recommendations for the improvement of ART uptake amongst employees at this mining site.

Le secteur minier reste l'un des secteurs les plus affectés par le VIH et SIDA en Afrique du Sud et aussi l'un des plus actifs dans la lutte contre la maladie (Ellis, 2007). En raison du faible taux d'utilisation de la thérapie antirétrovirale (ART) dans les années récentes par des compagnies minières (Connelly & Rosen, 2006) et les attitudes positives envers ART et ART absorption (Cooper et al., 2002; Horne, Cooper, Gellaitry, Leake, & Fisher, 2007) pour trouver des solutions pour les malades du VIH/SIDA, cette étude á pour objectif d'examiner les comportements psychosociaux et le traitement de la thérapie antirétrovirale d'un groupe de mineurs Sud-Africains. Huit cent six mineurs Sud-Africains ont participé à cette étude quantitative. Soit un taux de dépistage VIH élevé (83.0%) et des attitudes très favorables envers ART, les analyses indiquent qu'en termes de risque du VIH les employés temporaires et les entrepreneurs sont plus exposés á la maladie. Mais cependant, les employés qui sont bien informés de la méthode ART grâce à la connaissance et à l'information bénéficient d'un programme de traitement contre le VIH/SIDA. Ces résultats font l'objet de discussion sur le faible taux d'ART dans ce contexte et quelques recommandations et améliorations de l'absorption de l'ART pour les employés de ce site minier.

Keywords:

• mining sector
• workplace
• ART uptake
• attitudes

Mots clés:

• le secteur minier
• lieu de travail
• ART
• absorption
• attitudes

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kaymarlin Govender

Kaymarlin Govender (DLitt et Phil) is a senior lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He is a research psychologist. His research interests are in the intersections of health, masculinity and risk reduction as well as developing and evaluating health systems interventions in public and private sector.

Olagoke Akintola

Olagoke Akintola (PhD) is a public health promotion specialist and senior lecturer at the School of Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal. His research interests are in the intersections of health and development with a specific focus on health service delivery at the community/primary care levels as well as implications for public policy.

Gavin George

Gavin George (MComm) is a Senior Research Fellow at the Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, which he joined in 2000. He has published widely in academic journals, contributed chapters in books, and written a number of research reports. Currently, Gavin is the lead researcher for HEARD's Workplace VCT/ART Uptake Project (WVUP), Health Worker Salaries Project in both South Africa and Zambia (HWS), Review of Botswana's treatment roll-out, South African Workplace Policy review commissioned by SABCOHA and Coordinator of the Swaziland Human Capital Project.

Inge Petersen

Inge Petersen, PhD is Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She received her PhD in the field of community mental health from the University of Cape Town. Her research foci include mental health promotion and risk reduction as well as mental health systems reform for integrated primary mental health care.

Anil Bhagwanjee

Anil Bhagwanjee (MSocSc) is a registered clinical psychologist and serves as Programme Director: Health Promotion in the School of Psychology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). He has played an advocacy role in health policy development and has been central to the launch of innovative postgraduate programmes in Public Health, Public Health Law and Health Promotion at the UKZN. His current research focus includes the development and evaluation of HIV/AIDS programmes in workplace settings and factors mitigating uptake and adherence of HIV Testing and ART services in the workplace.

Candice Reardon

Candice Reardon (MSocSc) is a Junior Researcher at the Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division (HEARD) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her current research interests include the impact of migration on health care systems and the delivery of HIV and sex education in schools.