Challengesof implementing staff HIV and AIDs workplace Policy in Moi University, Kenya

Abstract

Theunprecedented effect of HIV and AIDS in Africa cannot be over-emphasized as it takes its toll mainly on the active age population of 15-49 years. This age group is the main workforce of any nation and, unfortunately, the most vulnerable to infection of HIV.There has been growing concern about the devastating impact of HIV and AIDS in manyworkplaces. In response, many organizations have developed sector-specific HIV andAIDS workplace policies for impact mitigation in the workplace. Moi University is a public institution with a large workforce hence targeted in the current study. Realizing the negative impact that HIV and AIDS has on workplaces and the importance of having an HIV and AIDS workplace policy, this study sought to establish the challenges of implementing such policy in Moi University. The study, whose main concern was about Moi University HIV and AIDS workplace policy, targeted teaching staff, non-teaching staff and senior management. The study's objectives were: to determine staff awareness of Moi University HIV and AIDS workplace policy; to establish implementation challenges of HIV and AIDS workplace policy at Moi University; to find out the impact of HIV and AIDS on services delivery, and to establish the role of management practices in mitigation of HIV and AIDS. To achieve these objectives, the study used ex-post facto research design and stratified sampling technique in the selection of the study sample. A study sample made up of 330 participants was used for the study. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods in data collection. These included Workplace Testing Questionnaire, document analysis and semi-structured interviews. Primary data was collected by use of self administered questionnaires and interview schedules, while secondary data was collected from libraries. The study used the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v 17.0) program to analyze the data collected. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically through coding. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The descriptive statistics included frequencies and means. Correlation analysis was used to test hypotheses (to test the relationship between the independent and dependent variables). The findings revealed that Moi University had an HIV and AIDS workplace policy. It also emerged that lack of consultation on HIV policy development, fear of talking on HIV and AIDS while in the workplace, view of HIV issues as a waste of time leading to participant's personal perceptions that HIV issues do not concern them, all were an impediment to successful implementation of the policy. The study further revealed that stigma in the workplace had an effect to adequate and timely delivery of services. The study concluded that HIV and AIDS workplace policy is a vital document in HIV and AIDS impact mitigation and, therefore, requires serious publicity for adoption and ownership by every employee. Following this, the study recommends that sensitization of all employees about the content of Moi University HIV and AIDS workplace policy be undertaken and worker's views and opinion be considered when developing an HIV and AIDS workplace policy. The Environment Resources Congruency Model (E-V-R) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour should be utilized as important guides in the management of HIV and AIDS in the workplace. The study is, therefore, expected to be of great significance to employers in addressing some of the HIV and AIDS workplace policy related implementation challenges.