title: Psychosocial and behavioural correlates of attitudes towards antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a sample of South African mineworkers.
abstract: Despite being one of the worst affected sectors in South Africa, the mining sector has proven to be one of the most active in intervention efforts in the fight against HIV and AIDS (Ellis, 2007). Owing to low uptake rates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in mining companies in recent years (Connelly & Rosen, 2006) and the positive relationship between attitudes towards ART and ART uptake (Cooper et al., 2002; Horne, Cooper, Gellaitry, Leake, & Fisher, 2007), this study sought to describe and investigate the psychosocial and behavioural correlates of attitudes towards ART in a sample of South African mineworkers. A total of 806 mineworkers from a large South African mine participated in this quantitative study. Despite a high rate of HIV testing behaviour (83.0%) as well as favourable attitudes towards ART, analysis indicated that temporary employees and contractors were more vulnerable in terms of HIV risk, HIV testing behaviours and ART knowledge and attitudes. Employees who had more positive attitudes towards ART were more knowledgeable of ART and, importantly, had a more favourable attitude towards the mine's HIV/AIDS treatment programme. These findings are discussed in relation to the low ART uptake rates in this context and recommendations for the improvement of ART uptake amongst employees at this mining site.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Govenderk2@ukzn.ac.za
authors.forename: Kaymarlin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Govender
authors.forename: Olagoke
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Akintola
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Inge
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhagwanjee
authors.forename: Candice
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reardon
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D044383:Black People; D005260:Female; D006046:Gold; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008906:Mining / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D006046:Gold