AEGiS-07IAC: HIV/AIDS education in the workplace: a national survey of U.S. small businesses.

7th International AIDS Conference


Florence, Italy — June 16-21, 1991

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HIV/AIDS education in the workplace: a national survey of U.S. small businesses.

Int Conf AIDS 1991 Jun 16-21; 7:449 (abstract no. W.D.4246)
Gurvitch A, Bye L, Emery A, Randolph S; American Red Cross, National Headquarters Wash. D.C., USA

OBJECTIVE: To survey decision-makers in U.S. small businesses to determine: 1) the scope of existing HIV/AIDS education and policies; 2) perceptions and experiences regarding HIV/AIDS; and 3) interest in providing HIV/AIDS education.

METHODS: A national probability sample (n=1493) of small businesses (100 or fewer employees) was drawn from Dunn and Bradstreet's database of 10.8 million U.S. businesses. An 11-minute telephone interview was completed with decision-makers form 1000 of these small businesses, for a response rate 67%.

RESULTS: The survey indicates that 11% of U.S. small businesses have provided their employees with HIV/AIDS education; 32% of small businesses would probably or definitely schedule an education session; and 67% of small businesses do not have a standard of practice for dealing with employee disability. 19% of small business decision-makers personally knew someone who had HIV/AIDS or who had died of AIDS. 46% of the small businesses perceive themselves as less likely than other similar U.S. firms to have an employee with AIDS. Respondents were most interested in educational programs focusing on legal issues (39%); reducing the risk of transmission (32%); and maintaining a supportive and productive work environment (28%).

CONCLUSION: A significant portion of the U.S. population can be reached effectively with HIV/AIDS education in small businesses (98% of U.S. businesses employ 100 or fewer people). The most significant obstacle to the delivery of HIV/AIDS education in the workplace is the lack of perceived relevance.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Workplace, Commerce, HIV Infections, Interviews, HIV Seropositivity, Employment, United States, prevention & control, ICA7KWDaegis,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,workplace,commerce,hivinfections,interviews,hivseropositivity,employment,unitedstates,prevention&control,ica7
910616
WD4246

Copyright © 1991 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.