Exploring factors affecting the HIV/AIDS workplace policy development and implementation in selected public hospitals in Lilongwe, Malawi
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Date
2021-10-01
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Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Malawi has a national workplace HIV/AIDS policy. Despite its existence, the adoption of the policy is low. Many organizations are yet to adopt the policy as a guiding document in recognizing and addressing HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue. There is a dearth of information on the factors that affect the policy’s implementation in public institutions.
Objective: The study’s main objective was to explore factors affecting the development and implementation of HIV/AIDS workplace policy in public hospitals in Lilongwe district.
An exploratory qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July 2020 at Bwaila hospital and area 25 health Centre in Lilongwe district, Malawi. Twenty-four in-depth interviews (IDI) with employees and 6 key informant interviews (KII) with hospital administrators were conducted. All IDIs and KIIs were digitally recorded, transcribed and translated verbatim into English. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
The study found that major factors affecting the HIV/AIDS workplace policy’s development and implementation included stigma and discrimination, lack of knowledge and inadequate resources. The main challenges facing policy implementation were lack of policy sensitization, stigma and discrimination, lack of employee involvement, lack of privacy and confidentiality and lack of management commitment. The potential optimizing factors were staff sensitization, adequate resources, establishing of a staff welfare committee, strengthening HIV prevention, provision of additional support to staff and HIV/AIDS workplace policy availability.
There is a low implementation of the HIV/AIDS workplace policy in the selected public hospitals due to poor enforcement of the policy, lack of hospital management support and commitment to developing and implementing the HIV/AIDS policy at the workplace. Close supervision by the Ministry of Health and regular monitoring and evaluation at all public
health institutions, provision of regular sensitization and staff involvement would ensure the development and implementation of HIV/AIDS workplace policy.