title: Attitude of Lesotho health care workers towards HIV/AIDS and impact of HIV/AIDS on the population structure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The impact and management of HIV/AIDS in Lesotho in the context of disaster management was investigated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Lesotho health care workers' perception on HIV/AIDS progression, whether HIV/AIDS was managed as a disaster, and the impact on the demographic profile was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The empirical investigation included a literature study, and primary and secondary data analyses. Questionnaires (n=116) determined health care workers' perception of HIV/AIDS. Interviews with officers of Lesotho Disaster Management determined how HIV/AIDS was managed as a disaster. National population censuses and data from surveys were summarised to describe the impact of HIV/AIDS on the population structure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respondents' modal age group was 25 to 39 years, 28.4% viewed HIV/AIDS related deaths as very high and perceived that HIV/AIDS changed the age composition, sex and dependency ratio of the population. Although HIV/AIDS was declared a disaster, the Lesotho Disaster Management Authority only aided the National AIDS Commission. There was evidence that HIV/AIDS caused the population pyramid base to shrink, and an indentation in the active population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health care workers attributed HIV/AIDS to changing the demographic profile of Lesotho, also reflected in the population pyramid. Lesotho Disaster Management Authority played a supporting role in HIV/AIDS disaster management.
authors.affiliation: Disaster Risk Management Training and Education Centre for Africa Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Belle
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, PO Box 339, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Ferriera
authors.affiliation: Disaster Risk Management Training and Education Centre for Africa Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jordaan
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007927:Lesotho; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Disaster management; HIV/AIDS; Lesotho; health care workers; population