The implementation of HIV workplace programmes can be difficult as drivers often spend long periods on the road, away from healthcare facilities and other support systems.
But Dr Don Pupuma, a CareWorks clinical consultant and family physician in Soweto says that some excellent opportunities are available to combat HIV in labour-intensive sectors. One example is employers offering medical male circumcision (MMC) to their workforces as a once-off intervention that greatly reduces the risk of HIV infection. “MMC is a one-time intervention, which makes it ideal for the transport industry. Of course, along with MMC must be the education that it protects men only in conjunction with the rest of the combination prevention strategies such as consistent condom use.” Newly-released HSRC (Human Sciences Research Council) National HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey, which suggests that proportion of South Africans infected with HIV has increased from 10.6% in 2008 to 12.2% in 2012. The survey estimates that 6.4m South Africans are now infected with HIV, 1.2m more than in 2008. Dr Pupuma adds: “In the face of those sorts of infection-rates, a quick, relatively simple procedure to lower in infection risk can make huge difference. MMC is just that, a safe procedure that typically requires no more than three days off work to recover, and which reduces a man’s likelihood of being infected with HIV during heterosexual sex by 60%. From a purely economic viewpoint, that’s an excellent return in investment, but of course the overriding imperative is the welfare and safety of the workforce. “ “Implementing MMC widely could trigger a collapse in infections. Its effect may well be as dramatic – but with a beneficial, not detrimental result – as the explosion of infections in the last three decades, which devastated our country. By successfully implementing a combination prevention strategy, of which MMC is a major element, we could have an AIDS-free generation in SA in 20 years. “To be fully successful, MMC must be part of what’s termed combination-prevention: the use of an array of measures to prevention HIV infections. These include the use of antiretroviral therapy, condoms and single partners.” Endorsement for the MMC campaigns has come from the highest source too, with Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi urging MPs to be circumcised. “The Minister must be saluted for grasping the nettle on MMC. It’s precisely that kind of buy-in that gives our field-workers confidence to discuss what some men regard as a sensitive issue.” Contact:` Dr Don Pupuma082 496-1948
dpupuma@icon.co.za Or: Dr Gareth J Lowndes Prevention Programmes Director (CareWorks) Garethl@CareWorks.co.za 082-964-4066 021 673-5333 www.careworks.co.za
