Abstract

The far reaching implication of HIV-related stigma in the society shows that it has undoubtedly become more dangerous than the pandemic itself. The workplace, like any other institutions, is not immune to disastrous implications of HIV-related stigma. Given that HIV-related stigma is a complex social phenomenon which is sometimes moulded by cultural and contextual factors; this paper seeks to investigate the potential determinants of HIV-related stigma in the workplace in the South African context. It is hoped that once the critical determinants of HIV-related stigma are known, tailor made interventions can thus be implemented. In this paper the following variables were investigated; gender vs. HIV-related stigma, education vs. HIV-related stigma, Race vs. HIV-related stigma, workplace/occupation vs. HIV-related stigma, HIV testing vs. HIV-related stigma, Knowledge of someone infected vs. HIV-related stigma and the practice of safe sex vs. HIV-related stigma. The sample consisted of 246 service staff employed at either Rhodes University Catering Division or the Hi-Tec Security company, both organisations located in Grahamstown, a small town in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Both organisations are major employers of semi-skilled workers in this local context. Results suggested that while there is no significant difference between gender, race, education and HIV related stigma, a significant difference was found between HIV-related stigma and other aforementioned variables.

Key words: HIV-Related stigma, Workplace, Derteminants of HIV- related stigma.