Table 4 Qualitative summary of themes and sub themes that were generated from the interviews with key implementers in the workplace on the reasons why workplaces had an HIV and AIDS policy/program or the reasons why a workplace did not have a program or policy
From: HIV/AIDS workplace policy addressing epidemic drivers through workplace programs
Major theme | Sub-theme | Summary of findings on reasons for workplaces having policy/programs or not as reported by key implementers. |
|---|---|---|
Size of workplace | Small workplace | Workplaces that were small in terms of numbers of employees, respondents reported that employees knew each other therefore they could talk freely about Health issues including HIV/AIDS there was therefore no need to have a formalised way of addressing HIV/AIDS in the workplace through programs or a policy. |
| Â | Â | Small workplaces also reported a limitation or lack of Finances to invest in HIV/AIDS programs and policies. A few had consulted some experts, but the cost of developing an HIV/AIDS policy was not affordable for them as small workplaces |
| Â | Large workplace | HIV/AIDS was reported to be more visible among large workplace with a large number of employees. The increased burden of HIV/AIDS necessitated an organised response to HIV/AIDS in the workplace through programs and HIV policy adoption. |
Type of workplace | Highly Mobility | Workplaces with highly mobile employees, the agricultural, construction and hotel industries had HIV/AIDS programs/Policy for employees. |
| Â | Core business | Workplaces such as schools, computer companies publishing and printing organisations felt that the nature of organisation did not necessitate having a policy in place. |
| Â | Religion | Religious predisposition of some organisations made it difficult in some cases to discuss HIV/AIDS as it is related to sex. This made it a taboo to talk publicly about HIV/AIDS and sex, therefore, they did not have an HIV/AIDS policy or program in place. |
Health Schemes Medical insurance | Â | Some workplaces had no HIV/AIDS workplaces policy and programs in place but had a medical scheme in place for employees which catered for general illnesses a, HIV/AIDS-related illnesses and other chronic diseases. |
| Â | Wellness approach | Some workplaces had a holistic approach to general health and safety of employees in the workplace and had therefore put in place programs focused on a wellness approach rather than programs focusing on HIV/AIDS alone. |
Sensitisation | Lack of sensitization | Some workplaces did not have an HIV/AIDS policy because they did not know how to develop one and also lacked sensitisation on Multispectral response to HIV/AIDS. They admitted that having an HIV AIDS workplace policy has not been thought about. |