Effectiveness of workplace HIV intervention programme among private companies in Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

ABSTRACT:

Introduction: Since the inception of HIV intervention at workplaces various public and private institutions have been implementing programs to fight the disease. In Tanzania little is known about the effectiveness of these intervention programmes which have been implemented by private companies. Methods: The cross sectional study was conducted in Dar es Salaam to assess the effectiveness of workplace HIV intervention among private companies in terms of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) utilization, condom use and stigma and discrimination reduction. Results: A total of 185 employees from six private companies were recruited where by 63% were males. Sixty five percent of (65%) participants agreed that there is VCT services conducted at their workplaces and 61 % said they had ever done VCT since employed. 58.8% of participants said workplace HIV activities have contributed to the willingness for VCT among employees in which 68% of participants were males (P value < 0.05) The study has revealed that 81 % of interviewees reported that condoms are available at their workplaces and they believe they are utilized by employees. The study shows that 52.2% of participants do use condoms when having sex with non regular partners and about 16% do not use condoms while the other said don't have the non regular partners. The results showed that 72% of employees were not forced to do HIV test during their employments and approximately 82% of interviewees believe they could continue working despite of being HIV positive and about 60% of respondents believed that workplace HIV programs have contributed to the reduction of stigma among employees. Those who have been at work for a period of more than ten years seem to support more stigma reduction compared to those with short working periods that is less than five years. (P value <O.05).Sixty two percents (62.2%) of participants are satisfied with the workplace HIV intervention while 36.8% are not satisfied. Conclusion: Workplace HIV intervention is effective. The study has shown that the majority of employees are satisfied with the workplaces HIV programs which has contributed to reduction of stigma among employees, uptake VeT, and the use of condoms.