CAN YOUR COMPANY REALLY AFFORD NOT TO DO A KAP SURVEY?
It’s essential to establish the knowledge, attitudes and practices of employees with regards to HIV/AIDS through workplace research. A KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices) survey, which is a form of workplace research, is a simple way of gathering standardised information from a large number of people through the use of an anonymous questionnaire. The survey can take as little as 10 minutes of employees’ time, and can be conducted in multiple ways, such as: an Internet-based questionnaire, a paper-based questionnaire or answering questions using an electronic handset. The conclusions drawn from the KAP surveying process will help a company to understand the following about their workforce:
• The vulnerability of employees to HIV/AIDS;
• The existing HIV/AIDS-related knowledge levels;
• The prevailing myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS;
• The current attitudes towards the HIV/AIDS epidemic, towards colleagues living with HIV and AIDS, towards company HIV/AIDS programme and policies;
• The perceptions in terms of own risk of HIV-infection; and
• The incidence of high-risk practices among employees.
Workplace research is a critical element in informing a company’s HIV/AIDS workplace strategy. Importantly, a KAP survey is a tool that can be used to do baseline workplace research, track trends in key knowledge and behavioural indicators over time and to inform HIV/AIDS prevention activities. Baseline workplace research can be used to provide a “snapshot” of employee knowledge, attitudes and practices, before any intervention strategies are initiated (e.g. it could allow for appropriately targeted training interventions) so that the effectiveness of any future interventions can be monitored (e.g. HIV/AIDS awareness training, Voluntary Counselling and Testing initiatives etc.).
Interestingly, a KAP survey can also be used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing HIV/AIDS initiatives and benchmark the impact of a long-term comprehensive workplace response, allowing for comparisons with future surveys and for the fine-tuning of the company’s HIV/AIDS workplace strategy.
Doing at least one KAP survey in your company can mean the difference between working in the dark – hoping for the best – and targeting HIV/AIDS-related interventions where they will impact the most in your workplace. Can your company really afford not to do a KAP survey?
Free Workplace Research, Accredited HIV/AIDS Training & Support
Redpeg’s Strategic HIV/AIDS Workplace Programme
Redpeg is encouraging companies to apply to take part in the funded (completely free of charge) ‘Strategic HIV/AIDS Workplace Programme’, which aims to enhance each participating company’s ability to strategically manage HIV/AIDS. Importantly, not only does the programme include a knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) survey, it also includes the following for each participating company:
- at NQF level 5 bearing 30 credits (for one person per company – the training is aimed at the person who manages the HIV/AIDS workplace programme – a certificate of competence is issued to learners found competent against the unit standards);
- Additional workplace-specific baseline research in the form of an (to understand the impact of HIV/AIDS on the workplace);
- Guidance and support in the and more.
The funded (free of charge) programme is taking place in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth through an incremental rollout nationally. If you would like more information please contact Tim Boshoff from Redpeg at tim@redpeg.co.za or (011) 476 5355.
Redpeg is a fully-accredited training service provider (Services SETA accreditation number: 0744) offering a number of workplace interventions and training programmes. Redpeg has been contracted by a variety of corporate companies, international and local NGO’s, SETA’s and organised labour to develop and deliver HIV/AIDS interventions.
