Indian Volunteer working in Developing countries of Asia and Africa
Main Findings of HIV/AIDS Situational Analysis - September 2009
Main Findings of HIV/AIDS Situational Analysis - September 2009
(Institute of Social work)
Dilip Singh Wangkhem (VSO Volunteer)
HIV AIDS Mainstreaming Advisor
Institute of Social Work (ISW)
P.O. Box 3375, Dar es salaam, e-mail: wang_dilip@yahoo.com
Dated: The 9th October 2009
Abstract
An HIV/AIDS Situational Analysis is used to identify where HIV/AIDS prevalence rate are highest, which populations are most affected and how they are affected, what factors are driving the spread of the epidemic and the main opportunities respond effectively at individual, community and population level.
The Situation Analysis of ISW was conducted under the financial assistance of TACAIDS Tanzania in the month of June 2009. Four consultants worked for two months to produce the report. The sampling research method was applied for this study. Under sampling method, Rotary method was adopted to select respondents within the target population (122 workers and 2,345 students). The majority of questions were close ended type. The situational analysis was published on 2nd October 2009.The total number of respondents for this study was 109. Out of this, 73 were students and 36 were workers. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze quantitative data.
Research design
The study was attempting to establish the nature and magnitude of the HIV/AIDS problem at the Institute of Social Work. In so doing the study called for the establishment of causes, knowledge level of understanding of HIV/AIDS (such as the symptoms, effects, preventive strategies, assessment of the existing initiatives at the Institute, how effective these effectiveness of these initiatives and attitudes of the community members towards combating HIV/AIDS. In view of the above, conducting a situation analysis necessarily demanded a qualitative approach whereby the respondents’ would be free to express their feelings, opinion and experiences regarding the state of HIV/AIDS at the institute. It is for this reason, an in-depth interview with selected individuals and focus group discussion (FGDs) were used.At another level, quantitative methods were also used though to a little extent in an attempt to capture the level of understanding of HIV/AIDS, level of education, age of respondents and economic status factors which in way or another were useful to determine the behaviour of individuals at the Institute community. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in tandem.
Study Area description
The study was conducted at the Institute of Social Work. The Institute is situated in Dar es Salaam city in Kinondoni municipality at the junction between Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Shekilango road. It is surrounded by residential areas, few public and private organizations, business and entertainment places a factor which suggest high level of social interaction of the Institute members and different categories of people. The Institute is critical because it is a fast growing higher learning (the current total student population is 2,345(female 1384, male 981), while the total number of employees is 122(female 44, male 78) and it is one of the high risk institutions whereby there is a high in flow and out flow of the people every year. (Source: Account and registration office of ISW, June 2009)
Ethical consideration:
Maximum effort was made to respect privacy and confidentiality at all levels. The questionnaires were anonymous and in no way would the gathered information be directly identifiable with the respondent.
Data analysis
Information obtained from questionnaire surveys analysed using SPSS programme for frequencies and regression model. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were analysed using content analysis.
Results and Discussions
1. HIV/AIDS Knowledge:
Knowledge on HIV/AIDS issues among workers and students was one of the key parameters of the study, specifically current knowledge. The main source of information on HIV/AIDS (77 %) is from mass media – radio, newspaper and television, campaign followed by 59 % of the respondents claimed to have heard about the epidemic from their friends where as family and church or religious leader which was mentioned by 54 % of the respondents. From the focus group discussion revealed that the biggest population of the ISW had a general knowledge about the pandemic. What is missing is that specific knowledge such as, HIV and gender or HIV/AIDS and nutrition.
Majority, 82 % of respondents were aware that ‘people with multiple sex partners’ could be infected with the HIV virus, thus revealing that the epidemic is not confined to any one particular group. On the other hand, 81 (74.3 %) of respondents knew the preventive measures from contracting the virus that causes AIDS. 86 % respondents believed that “use of condom during every sexual act” could be done to avoid HIV/AIDS infection while 15.6 % were of the opinion that not to have sex with homosexuals could be the way of avoiding HIV/AIDS infection. Don’t have sex at all (57.8%), don’t have many sex partners (67.9%), avoid sharing injections (66.1 %) as well as having only one sexual partner (57.8%), were common answers among respondents.
Regarding protection, 56 % said having only one uninfected sexual partner was one of the key prevention acts of protection against the virus. Abstaining from sex (53.2%), avoiding blood transfusion (51.4%) and using condom during sex were also identified as preventive measures against HIV infection. 66.1% of respondents revealed that by observation they can recognise HIV positive person. On the other hand, 22.0% of the respondents said that HIV/AIDS is a curable disease. This clearly shows that sensitization of HIV/AIDS awareness knowledge among the Institute community need more. About magnitude of HIV/AIDS in the Institute, 37.6% of the respondents replied they don’t know whereas 35.8% of the respondents were of the opinion that the problem was big. Some of the main reasons are as:
• Mixed age and sex groups of students and workers
• Majority of the population are in Sexually active groups
• No separate hostel for girls and boys and no restriction/rules for students who are staying in the hostel.
• Availability of alcohol in the near surroundings
• No supervision and maximum Freedom of students
• High interaction between students and workers, workers and workers as well as students and workers.
• Indecent dressing pattern of girls
• Economic hardships for students
• Location of the institute-at urban
• Lack of sufficient knowledge and right knowledge on HIV/AIDS
2. Workplace Information:
Participation level of HIV AIDS related activities organised by the Institute was recorded as slightly higher than non participation among students and workers. Their frequency of participation in the last 12 months was once (32%), twice (25.7%), more than three times (11.9%) as well as three times (7.8%) respectively. Regarding service provided by Institute on HIV/AIDS like VCT, medical treatment, funeral cost etc was 47.7% while majority 57 (52.3%) of students and workers had no idea about this due to lack of awareness to access the facilities. Among the group who have not participated, the main reasons were: not informed in time (85.7%) and the worried about what people would think (20.1%). The fact that students had no spare time from class schedule was the most frequently cited reason and was given by 58.6% of respondents as well as too busy on academic things. The discussions, in which most of the respondents claimed to have participated, indicated that, were incapable of providing a deep understanding of the due to time constraints.
For improvement of HIV/AIDS related programme in the Institute were:
65.1 % of respondents suggested that providing information on HIV/AIDS among students and workers in time can increased the participation level and improve the activities. The issue of conducting workshops and seminars accounted for 59.6 % and organising HIV/ AIDS related days (51.4%). Creation of awareness in academic classes accounted for 45.9% whereas (33.9%) pointed out that they required special services for PLWHA. 58.7 % of the respondents know about the self and partners HIV status.Regarding testing of HIV, 74.31% of the respondents were tested HIV and the percentage of collection of test result was 91.36%. Majority (59%) of respondents were testing in Government facilities and a few, 1.3 % did their testing at the ISW Centre counselling centre. The main reason for not testing HIV (31.2%) was that people are not prepared to deal with possible positive result. After HIV test, 57.9%% of the respondents did not collect test result due to fear/stigma. On the other hand, 16.5% among non-tested respondents are willing to test HIV. 48.6 % of respondents would disclose test result to their partners.
3. Risk Factors:
53.1 % of respondents felt they were vulnerable to HIV infection by virtue of the fact that they work/study at ISW. The main reasons were, easy to get sexual partners, followed by availability of alcohol and other substances, and especially among students was, being far from home where they are protected. 18.3% of the respondents had sexual relationship with other people rather than their girl/boy friends, wives and husbands where as the use of condom was 43.1% only. The main reasons for not using condom were: not available 19.3%, religious beliefs 16.5%, too expensive and condom can reduce sexual pleasure 15.6%. About frequency of use of condom were always 21.1% and never 34.9%.
4. Workplace Policy:
ISW has a policy on HIV/AIDS. It appears the majority 63.9% of workers know that there is a policy. However it was interesting to note during interview and focused group discussion that there were employees who didn’t know there is such a policy and even those who knew about its existence had not read or seen it so they do not know what it contains.
Regarding HIV/AIDS related program in ISW, 47.7 % of respondents involved in HIV testing, medical treatment for opportunistic infection (5.5 %) respectively. On the other hand, 57.1 % of respondents revealed that the Institute had organized supportive programs on HIV/AIDS and aware among them. Majority 70% of the students and workers were aware about the existence of counselling and testing service of the ISW.
5. Stigma and Discrimination:
The study find 44.6% of the respondents knew their friends who were leaving with HIV/ AIDS while 55.4% of respondents didn’t have any known peers leaving with HIV/AIDS.
Majority 78.7 % of the respondents revealed that they had no experience about denial or restrictions of rights on the basis of their HIV status among workers and students. As many as 21.3 % of the respondent mentioned categorically about the fact that they faced / experienced denial and discrimination of on the basis of HIV status.
52.9% respondents felt they would want to disclose their HIV positive status to everybody while 43.1 % didn’t want to disclose. The remaining (3.9%) respondents had no response.
About the services available to them if disclosed HIV positive status, the results were, 56.3% of the respondents felt that they would get support at the Institute. 15.6 % felt they wouldn’t get any assistance, 25% said didn’t know and others didn’t give any response.
The experience of stigmatization or discrimination on ground of HIV/AIDS status was seen to be going on within the Institute by 9.6% while half of the respondents had not seen or experienced it among students and workers.
Findings above indicate that stigma still exists since 21.3% of the respondents expressed to have known a person who experienced denial of rights due to HIV/AIDS status. However, the majority (78.7%) of the respondents admitted that they never witnessed a person who was denied her rights based on his or Her HIV/AIDS status
6. Conclusion:
HIV/AIDS is one of the problems that has and continues to affect different categories of people at varying degrees. Whilst the rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence is still on the high side, the need for enhancing preventive measures still remains high on the agenda. The magnitude of HIV/AIDS at the Institute of Social Work was assumed to be high among the Institute community members because high number of young students mostly teenagers, some of whom had lost their loved ones, and that there was high inflow of students every year. Reasons for low rate of infection included reluctance of people to disclose their status makes it impossible to understand the exact number of the infected and lack of statistics on HIV/AIDS related deaths. The findings further suggest that, the majority of the workers (86.1%) have tested their HIV status, while 11.1 % of the respondents have not tested
It was also interesting to note that, out of the total respondents 63.9% know that there is a policy on HIV/AIDS at the Institute. However during interview and focus group discussion there were employees who didn’t know there is such a policy and even those who knew about its existence had not read or seen it so they do not know what it contains. On the other hand, the risk is still high on the employees at lower cadre because of their low economic status. Most of these are strong enough to resist temptations when they are subjected to different circumstances. Above all, there is still a big problem of self stigmatisation to some of the employees and secrecy among the employees. This calls for concerted efforts and all stakeholders should take an active role in order to challenge the scourge of HIV/AIDS
References:-
1. National Guidelines for the Management of HIV/AIDS, (2008), Third edition, MoHSW, Dar es salaam
2. National Policy on HIV/AIDS, Prime Ministers’ Office, 2001, Dodoma
3. Tanzania HIV/AIDS and Malaria Indicator Survey (THIMIS), 2007/8, TACAIDS&ZAC, Dar es Salaam
4. The Institute of Social Work Strategic Plan, 2007/2008-2011/2012, Dar es Salaam
5. The Institute of Social Work HIV/AIDS Policy, (2008), Dar es Salaam
6. URT, The Prime Minister’s office (2007), The Second National Multi-Sectoral Strategic Framework on HIV/AIDS (2008 - 2012),Second Edition, Dar es Salaam
7. URT, UNGASS 2008 Report, Country Progress Report, Tanzania Mainland, Dar es salaam
8. http://www.tz.undp.org dated: the 18th June 2009
9. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS_in_Africa dated: the 18th June 2009
(Institute of Social work)
Dilip Singh Wangkhem (VSO Volunteer)
HIV AIDS Mainstreaming Advisor
Institute of Social Work (ISW)
P.O. Box 3375, Dar es salaam, e-mail: wang_dilip@yahoo.com
Dated: The 9th October 2009
Abstract
An HIV/AIDS Situational Analysis is used to identify where HIV/AIDS prevalence rate are highest, which populations are most affected and how they are affected, what factors are driving the spread of the epidemic and the main opportunities respond effectively at individual, community and population level.
The Situation Analysis of ISW was conducted under the financial assistance of TACAIDS Tanzania in the month of June 2009. Four consultants worked for two months to produce the report. The sampling research method was applied for this study. Under sampling method, Rotary method was adopted to select respondents within the target population (122 workers and 2,345 students). The majority of questions were close ended type. The situational analysis was published on 2nd October 2009.The total number of respondents for this study was 109. Out of this, 73 were students and 36 were workers. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze quantitative data.
Research design
The study was attempting to establish the nature and magnitude of the HIV/AIDS problem at the Institute of Social Work. In so doing the study called for the establishment of causes, knowledge level of understanding of HIV/AIDS (such as the symptoms, effects, preventive strategies, assessment of the existing initiatives at the Institute, how effective these effectiveness of these initiatives and attitudes of the community members towards combating HIV/AIDS. In view of the above, conducting a situation analysis necessarily demanded a qualitative approach whereby the respondents’ would be free to express their feelings, opinion and experiences regarding the state of HIV/AIDS at the institute. It is for this reason, an in-depth interview with selected individuals and focus group discussion (FGDs) were used.At another level, quantitative methods were also used though to a little extent in an attempt to capture the level of understanding of HIV/AIDS, level of education, age of respondents and economic status factors which in way or another were useful to determine the behaviour of individuals at the Institute community. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in tandem.
Study Area description
The study was conducted at the Institute of Social Work. The Institute is situated in Dar es Salaam city in Kinondoni municipality at the junction between Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Shekilango road. It is surrounded by residential areas, few public and private organizations, business and entertainment places a factor which suggest high level of social interaction of the Institute members and different categories of people. The Institute is critical because it is a fast growing higher learning (the current total student population is 2,345(female 1384, male 981), while the total number of employees is 122(female 44, male 78) and it is one of the high risk institutions whereby there is a high in flow and out flow of the people every year. (Source: Account and registration office of ISW, June 2009)
Ethical consideration:
Maximum effort was made to respect privacy and confidentiality at all levels. The questionnaires were anonymous and in no way would the gathered information be directly identifiable with the respondent.
Data analysis
Information obtained from questionnaire surveys analysed using SPSS programme for frequencies and regression model. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were analysed using content analysis.
Results and Discussions
1. HIV/AIDS Knowledge:
Knowledge on HIV/AIDS issues among workers and students was one of the key parameters of the study, specifically current knowledge. The main source of information on HIV/AIDS (77 %) is from mass media – radio, newspaper and television, campaign followed by 59 % of the respondents claimed to have heard about the epidemic from their friends where as family and church or religious leader which was mentioned by 54 % of the respondents. From the focus group discussion revealed that the biggest population of the ISW had a general knowledge about the pandemic. What is missing is that specific knowledge such as, HIV and gender or HIV/AIDS and nutrition.
Majority, 82 % of respondents were aware that ‘people with multiple sex partners’ could be infected with the HIV virus, thus revealing that the epidemic is not confined to any one particular group. On the other hand, 81 (74.3 %) of respondents knew the preventive measures from contracting the virus that causes AIDS. 86 % respondents believed that “use of condom during every sexual act” could be done to avoid HIV/AIDS infection while 15.6 % were of the opinion that not to have sex with homosexuals could be the way of avoiding HIV/AIDS infection. Don’t have sex at all (57.8%), don’t have many sex partners (67.9%), avoid sharing injections (66.1 %) as well as having only one sexual partner (57.8%), were common answers among respondents.
Regarding protection, 56 % said having only one uninfected sexual partner was one of the key prevention acts of protection against the virus. Abstaining from sex (53.2%), avoiding blood transfusion (51.4%) and using condom during sex were also identified as preventive measures against HIV infection. 66.1% of respondents revealed that by observation they can recognise HIV positive person. On the other hand, 22.0% of the respondents said that HIV/AIDS is a curable disease. This clearly shows that sensitization of HIV/AIDS awareness knowledge among the Institute community need more. About magnitude of HIV/AIDS in the Institute, 37.6% of the respondents replied they don’t know whereas 35.8% of the respondents were of the opinion that the problem was big. Some of the main reasons are as:
• Mixed age and sex groups of students and workers
• Majority of the population are in Sexually active groups
• No separate hostel for girls and boys and no restriction/rules for students who are staying in the hostel.
• Availability of alcohol in the near surroundings
• No supervision and maximum Freedom of students
• High interaction between students and workers, workers and workers as well as students and workers.
• Indecent dressing pattern of girls
• Economic hardships for students
• Location of the institute-at urban
• Lack of sufficient knowledge and right knowledge on HIV/AIDS
2. Workplace Information:
Participation level of HIV AIDS related activities organised by the Institute was recorded as slightly higher than non participation among students and workers. Their frequency of participation in the last 12 months was once (32%), twice (25.7%), more than three times (11.9%) as well as three times (7.8%) respectively. Regarding service provided by Institute on HIV/AIDS like VCT, medical treatment, funeral cost etc was 47.7% while majority 57 (52.3%) of students and workers had no idea about this due to lack of awareness to access the facilities. Among the group who have not participated, the main reasons were: not informed in time (85.7%) and the worried about what people would think (20.1%). The fact that students had no spare time from class schedule was the most frequently cited reason and was given by 58.6% of respondents as well as too busy on academic things. The discussions, in which most of the respondents claimed to have participated, indicated that, were incapable of providing a deep understanding of the due to time constraints.
For improvement of HIV/AIDS related programme in the Institute were:
65.1 % of respondents suggested that providing information on HIV/AIDS among students and workers in time can increased the participation level and improve the activities. The issue of conducting workshops and seminars accounted for 59.6 % and organising HIV/ AIDS related days (51.4%). Creation of awareness in academic classes accounted for 45.9% whereas (33.9%) pointed out that they required special services for PLWHA. 58.7 % of the respondents know about the self and partners HIV status.Regarding testing of HIV, 74.31% of the respondents were tested HIV and the percentage of collection of test result was 91.36%. Majority (59%) of respondents were testing in Government facilities and a few, 1.3 % did their testing at the ISW Centre counselling centre. The main reason for not testing HIV (31.2%) was that people are not prepared to deal with possible positive result. After HIV test, 57.9%% of the respondents did not collect test result due to fear/stigma. On the other hand, 16.5% among non-tested respondents are willing to test HIV. 48.6 % of respondents would disclose test result to their partners.
3. Risk Factors:
53.1 % of respondents felt they were vulnerable to HIV infection by virtue of the fact that they work/study at ISW. The main reasons were, easy to get sexual partners, followed by availability of alcohol and other substances, and especially among students was, being far from home where they are protected. 18.3% of the respondents had sexual relationship with other people rather than their girl/boy friends, wives and husbands where as the use of condom was 43.1% only. The main reasons for not using condom were: not available 19.3%, religious beliefs 16.5%, too expensive and condom can reduce sexual pleasure 15.6%. About frequency of use of condom were always 21.1% and never 34.9%.
4. Workplace Policy:
ISW has a policy on HIV/AIDS. It appears the majority 63.9% of workers know that there is a policy. However it was interesting to note during interview and focused group discussion that there were employees who didn’t know there is such a policy and even those who knew about its existence had not read or seen it so they do not know what it contains.
Regarding HIV/AIDS related program in ISW, 47.7 % of respondents involved in HIV testing, medical treatment for opportunistic infection (5.5 %) respectively. On the other hand, 57.1 % of respondents revealed that the Institute had organized supportive programs on HIV/AIDS and aware among them. Majority 70% of the students and workers were aware about the existence of counselling and testing service of the ISW.
5. Stigma and Discrimination:
The study find 44.6% of the respondents knew their friends who were leaving with HIV/ AIDS while 55.4% of respondents didn’t have any known peers leaving with HIV/AIDS.
Majority 78.7 % of the respondents revealed that they had no experience about denial or restrictions of rights on the basis of their HIV status among workers and students. As many as 21.3 % of the respondent mentioned categorically about the fact that they faced / experienced denial and discrimination of on the basis of HIV status.
52.9% respondents felt they would want to disclose their HIV positive status to everybody while 43.1 % didn’t want to disclose. The remaining (3.9%) respondents had no response.
About the services available to them if disclosed HIV positive status, the results were, 56.3% of the respondents felt that they would get support at the Institute. 15.6 % felt they wouldn’t get any assistance, 25% said didn’t know and others didn’t give any response.
The experience of stigmatization or discrimination on ground of HIV/AIDS status was seen to be going on within the Institute by 9.6% while half of the respondents had not seen or experienced it among students and workers.
Findings above indicate that stigma still exists since 21.3% of the respondents expressed to have known a person who experienced denial of rights due to HIV/AIDS status. However, the majority (78.7%) of the respondents admitted that they never witnessed a person who was denied her rights based on his or Her HIV/AIDS status
6. Conclusion:
HIV/AIDS is one of the problems that has and continues to affect different categories of people at varying degrees. Whilst the rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence is still on the high side, the need for enhancing preventive measures still remains high on the agenda. The magnitude of HIV/AIDS at the Institute of Social Work was assumed to be high among the Institute community members because high number of young students mostly teenagers, some of whom had lost their loved ones, and that there was high inflow of students every year. Reasons for low rate of infection included reluctance of people to disclose their status makes it impossible to understand the exact number of the infected and lack of statistics on HIV/AIDS related deaths. The findings further suggest that, the majority of the workers (86.1%) have tested their HIV status, while 11.1 % of the respondents have not tested
It was also interesting to note that, out of the total respondents 63.9% know that there is a policy on HIV/AIDS at the Institute. However during interview and focus group discussion there were employees who didn’t know there is such a policy and even those who knew about its existence had not read or seen it so they do not know what it contains. On the other hand, the risk is still high on the employees at lower cadre because of their low economic status. Most of these are strong enough to resist temptations when they are subjected to different circumstances. Above all, there is still a big problem of self stigmatisation to some of the employees and secrecy among the employees. This calls for concerted efforts and all stakeholders should take an active role in order to challenge the scourge of HIV/AIDS
References:-
1. National Guidelines for the Management of HIV/AIDS, (2008), Third edition, MoHSW, Dar es salaam
2. National Policy on HIV/AIDS, Prime Ministers’ Office, 2001, Dodoma
3. Tanzania HIV/AIDS and Malaria Indicator Survey (THIMIS), 2007/8, TACAIDS&ZAC, Dar es Salaam
4. The Institute of Social Work Strategic Plan, 2007/2008-2011/2012, Dar es Salaam
5. The Institute of Social Work HIV/AIDS Policy, (2008), Dar es Salaam
6. URT, The Prime Minister’s office (2007), The Second National Multi-Sectoral Strategic Framework on HIV/AIDS (2008 - 2012),Second Edition, Dar es Salaam
7. URT, UNGASS 2008 Report, Country Progress Report, Tanzania Mainland, Dar es salaam
8. http://www.tz.undp.org dated: the 18th June 2009
9. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS_in_Africa dated: the 18th June 2009
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