Factors affecting workers’ sexual behaviours related to HIV/Aids in Tanzania : a case Study of the Immigration Department of Dar es Salaam
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Date
2013
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
In recent years, there has been an acute increase in number of workers infected with HIV and AIDS.Various measures have been instituted to solve the problem like, awareness raising on HIV and AIDS Programmes, VCT, and behavior change. In light of this reality, this study investigated factors affecting workers’ sexual behaviors related to HIV/AIDS in Tanzania. In the process of data collection 119 questionnaires were administered at three centers of Immigration Department which was Headquarters, Dar-es-Salaam centre and J.K.Nyerere International Airport all found in Dar-es-Salaam Region. Also 3 respondents who were HIV/AIDS focal person, counsellor, and peer educator among those centres were interviewed making a total of 122 respondents.A total of 119 respondents, aged 25-55+ years, were randomly sampled from three centers without consideration of their sex. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative research approaches.Findings revealed that Immigration Department workers are largely knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. The level of HIV knowledge was not associated with any social-demographic variables. Regarding reasons, which affect workers from changing sexual behaviors, related to HIV/AIDS, respondents mentioned several reasons. The most popular reasons included; alcohol influence, desire to have sex, desire to get more money, gifts, frustrations, and hobby.Nevertheless, the study revealed that, despite social, cultural and economic factors, which cause workers to be involved into risk sexual behaviors, there were other factors specifically related to the workplace like delayed salary payments for new recruits, which tempted some of them to engage in sex for survival so as to meet their financial obligations, transactional sex with promise to gain certain favors; the habit of some leaders in responsible positions to abuse and misuse their powers; also deployment of two security officers of the opposite sex for night shift, and assigning married or unmarried security officers of the opposite sex to live in the same house, desire to have sexual affairs with the foreigners; financial constrains, especially for the first appointed workers, and sex corruption so as to cross borders illegally. It was recommended that the center of focus should be shifted from HIV knowledge to programs that address issues of changing behaviors in order to attain the ABCs. The mass media should be involved and focus on molding community members so as to change risky behaviors to attain safe behaviors toward HIV/AIDS.
In view of the findings, it was concluded that behavior change advocacies are good measures in solving the problem of HIV and AIDS. Therefore, the government should change from advocacy on awareness to HIV and AIDS to behavioral change advocacy.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF HQ32.T34L45)
Keywords
Sexual behavior, Sexual ethics, Aids (Disease), Immigration department, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Citation
Lema, A.N (2013) Factors affecting workers’ sexual behaviours related to HIV/Aids in Tanzania : a case Study of the Immigration Department of Dar es Salaam.Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.