AEGiS-06IAC: Survey of AIDS-related educational programs in the workplace.

6th International AIDS Conference

San Francisco, California, USA — June 20-23, 1990

Survey of AIDS-related educational programs in the workplace.

Int Conf AIDS 1990 Jun 20-23; 6:345 (abstract no. Th.D.878)
Humes S, Miller R, Barr J, Warshaw L, Reinfeld M; Gay Men's Health Crisis, Inc., New York, New York, USA

OBJECTIVE: Although New York City has 20% of all AIDS cases in the United States, it has lacked a coordinated strategy to deal with HIV/AIDS education in the workplace. This study was designed to obtain data regarding New York City HIV/AIDS workplace policies, programming, and executive attitudes in order to develop effective educational interventions.

METHODS: Gay Men's Health Crisis and The New York Business Group on Health surveyed human resources administrators in 2,637 New York metropolitan firms and nonprofit agencies. A Dun & Bradstreet listing of businesses having more than 100 employees was supplemented with mailing lists of two business associations and representative social service and entertainment industry agencies. The survey was designed to assess: 1) what types of HIV/AIDS educational programs have been implemented; 2) what programs company executives felt employees need; and 3) what factors enhanced or impeded the implementation of workplace HIV/AIDS programming. Additionally, focus groups of human resources administrators were conducted to yield amplifying information.

RESULTS: Although survey data have not been analyzed as yet, pilot and focus group data suggest that New York City employers have done little in the way of proactive HIV/AIDS education and have supplied information to employees only in response to crises. Data collected to date also point to continued fear of HIV transmission in the workplace.

CONCLUSION: It is expected that fully analyzed survey data will confirm preliminary findings that rank-and-file employees in all types of workplaces require further basic HIV/AIDS medical information, while middle managers need 1) skills-building in handling HIV-related crisis situations and 2) values clarification around sexual issues and substance use.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Workplace, HIV Infections, Data Collection, Health Education, Questionnaires, Administrative Personnel, Fear, Commerce, Focus Groups, New York, New York City, United States, Human, Male, education, manpower, ICA6

900620
ThD878