The Efficacy of Health Education and Condom Distribution in Combating HIV and AIDs at Unilever Harare (2004-2005)

Abstract

This study explores the efficacy of health education and condom distribution as corporate responses to combating HIV/ AIDS at the workplace using Uniliver Zimbabwe as case study. The study established that the HIV/AIDS epidemic destabilises labour, the psychosocial environment and organisational activities. This study reveals that the Unilever corporate health education and condom distribution programme is not meshed in socio-structural pillars and thus remains largely less effective in combating HIV/AIDS at the workplace. We therefore recommend integration of bio-medical and socio-structural approaches to increase the effectiveness of the responses to HIV/AIDS; involvement and participation; co-management of programmes between management and employees; and context based programmes. This study shows that beneficiaries should be treated as active participants to ensure success of the intervention programmes. Otherwise it remains sheer wastage of resources and energy.

Key words: health education, condom, HIV/AIDS, Uniliver, Harare, corporate response.