AEGiS-14IAC: The Strategic framework to combat HIV/AIDS in the South African Police Service(SAPS).

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

DonateNow
Print this article

The Strategic framework to combat HIV/AIDS in the South African Police Service(SAPS).

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. G12547)

Stutterheim H
South African Police Service, Pretoria, South Africa

ISSUES: The importance of a strategic framework for the combat of HIV/AIDS in the South African Police Service (SAPS)

DESCRIPTION: It was envisaged that the HIV/AIDS pandemic will affect the South African Police Service (SAPS) with prolonged staff illness, absenteeism and death, impacting on the productivity, employee benefits and morale in the workplace. At present the SAPS has approximately 127 000 members of personnel. Police duties often present police officials with stressful situations and can also take them away from home for extended periods of time. The need to alleviate stress, loneliness and boredom may lead to risky behaviour. Using alcohol and drugs to cope with stress can contribute to an increase in the incidence of risky behaviour. In order to combat HIV/AIDS, a strategic plan was developed by management. The framework of the strategic plan consists of: A standardised and uniform awareness programme as well as a peer education programme with Provincial HIV/AIDS project managers Implementation of a condom programme Management and maintenance of the budget Collaboration with other role-players Counselling Support groups

ISSUES: Committed top management makes a difference A part time project manager can't deal with the extent of the strategy Extensive advocacy programmes for middle and top managers are essential The dire need for more peer-educators The need for support groups in all areas The importance of continuous communication and information to members That stigmatization still exists RECOMMENDATION: Full-time provincial project managers must be appointed A focussed and aggressive, continuous communication programme is a neccesity More peer educators should trained to reach target of 1 for every 50 members Briefing for deployment operations should include HIV/AIDS awareness

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Police, African Continental Ancestry Group, Incidence, Counseling, Condoms, Female, Health Personnel, Stereotyping, CondomsKWDaegis,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivinfections,hivseropositivity,police,africancontinentalancestrygroup,incidence,counseling,condoms,female,healthpersonnel,stereotyping,condoms

020707
G12547

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.