Bowen, P; Govender, R; Edwards, P and Cattell, K (2016) An explanatory model of attitudinal fear of HIV/AIDS testing in the construction industry. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 23(1), pp. 92-112. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose - Prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection in the South African construction industry exceeds that of most other economic sectors. Voluntary counselling and testing is pivotal in combatting the spread of the disease. Little is known about the attitudinal fear of testing among construction workers, and the determinants thereof. The purpose of this paper is to address these shortcomings. Design/methodology/approach - A conceptual integrated model of fear of testing is proposed. Demographic characteristics and behavioural and cognitive factors are posited to explain attitudinal fear of testing. Regression analysis and structural equation modelling are used to test the model, using data gathered from 512 site-based participants in a questionnaire survey. Findings - Prejudice and lifestyle risk are the terminal predictors of fear of testing. Prejudice is determined by education level and HIV/AIDS transmission knowledge. Knowledge is predicted by education level and ethnicity. Lifestyle risk is determined by age, gender, harmful substance use, and knowledge. Harmful substance use is determined by age, gender, ethnicity, and employment type. The inter-relationship between knowledge about HIV/AIDS, prejudice towards HIV+ persons, and fear of testing is complex and nuanced. Practical implications - Intervention strategies by firms should positively address attitudinal fear of testing. Employers should ensure that effective communication is established with workers. Interventions relating to harmful substance use by employees need particular attention. Awareness campaigns should be sensitive to ethnic and cultural values, and to inter-generational differences. Originality/value - Harmful substance use and knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission are indirect predictors of fear of testing. Education and ethnicity are critical dimensions of knowledge. The complex inter-relationship between knowledge, prejudice, lifestyle risk, and fear of testing is highlighted, providing guidelines for intervention management.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | HIV/AIDS; construction management; construction workers; fear of testing; intervention management; predictive modelling |
| Index terms: | predictive modelling, intervention strategy, survey, structural equation modelling, questionnaire, HIV/AIDS, methodology, intervention management, integrated model, fear of testing, lifestyle, employment, regression analysis, dimension, construction worker, testing, construction industry, determinant |
| Subjects: | financial risk, research methods, management, statistical analysis, behavioral psychology, industry analysis, health conditions and diseases, demography, practitioner, risk assessment, data collection methods, health monitoring assessment and metrics, prediction and forecasting, analytical methods, professional practice |
| Topics: | Urban Studies, Human Resources, Roles and Professions, Risk Management, Health and Safety, Cost Management, Information Management, Engineering Principles, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here