5 research outputs found
Age at sexual debut: A determinant of multiple partnership among South African youth
Age at sexual debut is an important determinant of HIV infection. The paper investigates the effects of age at sexual debut on sexual behaviour among South African youth. Among 2 875 respondents who ever had sexual intercourse, 39% had early sexual debut (sexual debut at age 16 years and below). Males (44.6%) were significantly more likely than females (35.1%) to report early sexual debut (odds ratio (OR)=1.45, p-value <0.001). Multiple sexual partners are significantly more common among those that had early sexual debut (10.4% vs. 4.8%) than those who had late sexual debut, (OR=2.29, p-value<0.001). Those aged 15 to 19 years were 1.4 times more likely to report multiple partners compared to those aged 20 to 24 years. Delaying sexual debut is a strategy many national programmes are promoting. The results of this study provide additional arguments to support such initiatives and show the need to strengthen intervention targeting youth (Afr. J. Reprod. Health 2010; 14[2]:47-54)
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Knowledge, atttiudes, beliefs and practices related to HIV/AIDS among employees in the private security sector in South Africa
Presentation published as a abstract in Abstracts for XVII International Conference on AIDS, Mexico City, Mexico, 3-8 Augus
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The impact of and responses to HIV/AIDS in the private security and legal services industry in South Africa
The generalised nature of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa means that it impacts unevenly on businesses. Companies respond in varied ways, and with varied means, to the challenges posed by the epidemic. Assessment of the impacts of HIV/AIDS, and of the responses of companies to it, are critical to help mitigate the impact of the epidemic on productivity, labour costs, and the supply of skills.
This report documents the first study of its kind to be conducted in the private security and legal services industries, and provides clarity on the current status of both industries in terms of the prevalence and incidence rates of HIV, the impact of the epidemic on businesses in the sectors, and their responses to HIV/AIDS thus far.
The findings represent a first step in the continued monitoring and evaluation of the impacts of the epidemic in both sectors, and the recommendations offer a starting point for refining HIV/AIDS management strategies at a sector and company level.
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A comparison of HIV prevalence and incidence estimates between the private security sector and the general public of South Africa
Presentation published as a abstract in Abstracts for XVII International Conference on AIDS, Mexico City, Mexico, 3-8 Augus
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Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices related to HIV/AIDS among employees in the private security industry in South Africa
Paper presented at the AIDS Conference, Mexico City, 3-8 AugustThe aim of the study was to critically assess HIV/AIDS related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices among employees in the private security industry in three provinces in South Africa. A second-generation surveillance approach was used where 15 private security companies participated. Fieldworkers approached participants at selected companies and asked them permission to complete a questionnaire and to provide a dry blood spots (DBS) specimen for HIV testing. A total of 2787 employees participated and 2224 agreed to be interviewed and to give a blood specimen for an HIV test. The participants showed high levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS and positive attitudes towards PLWHA. Most of the participants (86.7%0 had one regular partner while 14.6% of the participants had two or more sexual partners (17.6% males vs. 5.6% females). A tenth of the participants (10.7%) had had sex with someone 10 years younger than themselves. Participants under 24 years old reported high condom use (62.4% males & 53.6% females) compared to their above 50 year old counterparts (16.4% males & 9.1% females). Participants with two or more partners reported high condom use (63.9% males & 44.8% females) compared to those with one partner (37% males and 31% females). The majority of participants knew where to get VCT services (88.1%) but only 53.2% reported to have ever tested for HIV.
HIV/AIDS education programmes should promote safer sex practices among older employees. The 'know your status' campaign needs to be strengthened so that employees can know their status