Health beliefs and HIV risk among employees : a comparative study.
Date
2012-07-11
Authors
Mncube, Bongiwe Busisiwe
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate and compare health beliefs among employees. The study
looked at the African Traditional Model and the Medical Model in relation to HIV risk among
employees in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The study sample was made up of 96 participants,
all African, and predominately female. The study established employees` health beliefs by asking
them to indicate their health beliefs on the Biographical Questionnaire provided in the study.
HIV risk among employees was assessed through the use of HIV Risk-Taking Behaviour Scale
(HRBS), Attitude to Condom Use, a sub-scale of the Sexual Risks Scale (SRSA) and Sexual
Risk Cognitions Questionnaire (SRCQ). A comparison of HIV risk between the two groups of
employees was achieved by performing ANOVA. In addition, the study conducted secondary
analyses using correlations to establish relationships between variables. The results obtained in
this study showed a statistically significant difference in HIV risk between employees who
believed in the African Traditional Model and those who believed in the Medical Model in HIV
prevention. Secondary correlational analyses between variables showed a significant, negative
relationship between participants` attitude toward condom use and their sexual risk cognitions.
The results indicated that employees who had a positive attitude towards condom use reported
low sexual risk cognitions towards unsafe behaviour. In contrast, employees who had a negative
attitude towards condom use showed high sexual cognitions towards unsafe sexual behaviours.
Directions for future studies could focus on education and training strategies to reduce negative
health beliefs among employees in the fight against HIV and AIDS in South Africa.
Description
Keywords
Health beliefs, African traditional model, Medical model, HIV risk, Employees, Eastern Cape, South Africa