Overview

Programme:	X
Key question:	X
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End date:	dd/mm/yyyy
Status:	STATUS
Contact:	FIRST LAST
Project outputs:

This is an applied experimental project with a classical scientific foundation. A previous HEARD study showed that companies in Southern Africa that have made considerable investment in setting up workplace HIV/AIDS "health management" programmes - including provision of ART - have yet to see a "return" in the form of substantial and growing numbers of workers who need treatment enrolling in, and adhering to, ART programmes. Furthermore, while this low uptake is usually attributed to stigma and discrimination, there has been virtually no research to determine and assess the actual reasons. The current study is based on the questions raised by these findings.

It has a scientific aim and a practical aim which are, respectively:

• To provide new knowledge on reasons for low uptake of VCT and ART services in workplace settings, and to estimate the associated economic costs.
• To show how to increase VCT and ARV uptake in workplace settings on the basis of improved practical interventions and to estimate the associated economic costs and benefits.

The experimental nature of the project lies in designing an intervention to improve the participation of HIV-positive workers in a company ART programme on the basis of baseline research, and also in the combination of the disciplines of economics and psychology to achieve the project's aims.

The work is being conducted at two of the De Beers company mines, with funding from the Merck Foundation and generous support from the company's health management staff. Field research is being conducted largely underground and in co-ordination with the company team responsible for promoting VCT at those sites. Much of the initial research has been completed (Situational Assessment); qualitative research (Ethnographic study and Quality of Life Survey) is work in progress, and the expectation is that psychometric surveys and costing research will be completed in the first quarter of 2008. Thereafter, the results will inform design of the intervention.

In addition, the project includes an academic educational component: the design of a Master's level Pharmaco-Economics course, the general content and form of which has been completed. Currently, discussions are in progress with the Schools of Economics, Pharmacy and Medicine at UKZN, with a view to offering an accredited course in 2009.

Project updates

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