Revista de SIDA e investigación clínica

Factors Contributing to Staff's Susceptibility to HIV in Oromia Agricultural Research Institute: A Case Study from Zeway Fisheries Resources Research Center

Abstract

Tilahun Genet Abdi

This case study was conducted during the year of 2012 on the staffs of Zeway fisheries resources research centre, Oromia. It mainly focused on identifying factors contributing to staffs susceptibility to HIV. Susceptibility refers to the likelihood of being infected by HIV. Qualitative analysis has been widely used. Data has been presented and analysed by use of the following: Discussions, tables, responses were organized together according to their types. The study identified the following as factors that contributed to susceptibility to HIV. These factors were knowledge of staffs on HIV transmission and methods of HIV prevention, decision making, and culture of silence on HIV/AIDS aspects, religious practices and beliefs, long absence from home, use of field allowance and use of stimulant drugs. The study indicated that the likelihood of staffs susceptibility to HIV with regard to their knowledge about HIV transmission and methods of HIV prevention is less likely and with regards to use of stimulant drugs, use of field allowance, long absence from home and culture of silence on HIV and AIDS aspects, the staffs were more likely to be susceptible to HIV infection. Organization need to encourage behavioural change or change from high risk to more responsible sexual behaviour. Due to having disposable field allowances and absence of better recreation centres during field work, men staffs tend to show high susceptibility by spending part of their allowances to drink alcohols. However, no way to reduce their field allowances. Therefore, organization should deal with those identified as a high susceptibility group of men to bring behavioural change. One way of dealing with this is through providing managerial level consultation.