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Accessing Voluntary HIV Testing in the Construction Industry: A Qualitative Analysis of Employee Interviews from the Test@Work Study

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah Somerset

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK)

  • Catrin Evans

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK)

  • Holly Blake

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK
    NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

Abstract

HIV, globally, remains a significant public health issue and community HIV testing can help to identify those with HIV at an early stage of disease. The workplace offers a prime location for provision of opt-in HIV testing as part of wider health promotion initiatives. The construction industry offers a key opportunity for HIV testing provision in a generally male-dominated group exhibiting some risky behaviors related to HIV. The intervention was an optional one-off individual health check with tailored health advice and signposting, offered to the construction workforce in health check events delivered as part of a large-scale multi-site research program called Test@Work. The events were undertaken at 10 participating organizations (21 events across 16 different sites), none had previously offered sexual health awareness or HIV testing to their workforce. Participants were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview following general health checks which included HIV testing. Out of 426 employees attending the health check events, 338 (79.3%) consented to interview on exit. Accessing HIV testing at work was valued because it was convenient, quick, and compatible with work demands. Interviewees identified HIV risks for construction including drug use, high numbers of sexual partners and job-related exposures, e.g., to used needles. Health seeking in construction was limited by stigma and low support, with particular barriers for non-permanent workers. The organization of the construction industry is complex with multiple organizations of different sizes having responsibility for varying numbers of employees. A disparity between organizational policies and employment circumstances is evident, and this generates significant health inequalities. To combat this, we recommend that organizations in the construction sector offer their employees awareness-raising around health behaviors and health protection in packages, such as toolbox talks. We recommend these be accompanied by annual health checks, including sexual health awareness and opt-in workplace HIV testing. This approach is highly acceptable to the workforce in the industry and removes barriers to access to healthcare.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Somerset & Catrin Evans & Holly Blake, 2021. "Accessing Voluntary HIV Testing in the Construction Industry: A Qualitative Analysis of Employee Interviews from the Test@Work Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:4184-:d:536670
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Holly Blake & Sarah Somerset & Katharine Whittingham & Matthew Middleton & Mehmet Yildirim & Catrin Evans, 2020. "WHIRL Study: Workplace Health Interprofessional Learning in the Construction Industry," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-20, September.
    2. Sorensen, G. & Landsbergis, P. & Hammer, L. & Amick III, B.C. & Linnan, L. & Yancey, A. & Welch, L.S. & Goetzel, R.Z. & Flannery, K.M. & Pratt, C., 2011. "Preventing chronic disease in the workplace: A workshop report and recommendations," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(SUPPL. 1), pages 196-207.
    3. Paul Bowen & Keith Cattell & Peter Edwards & Jonathan Marks, 2010. "Perceptions of HIV/AIDS policies and treatment programmes by Western Cape construction firms," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(9), pages 997-1006.
    4. Paul Anthony Bowen & Rajen Govender & Peter J. Edwards & Keith Cattell, 2014. "An integrated model of HIV/AIDS testing behaviour in the construction industry," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(11), pages 1106-1129, November.
    5. Holly Blake & Sarah Somerset & Catrin Evans, 2020. "Development and Fidelity Testing of the Test@Work Digital Toolkit for Employers on Workplace Health Checks and Opt-In HIV Testing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-15, January.
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