Employee perceptions of a workplace HIV testing intervention

Abstract

There is a need to increase access to HIV testing in the UK in male migrant communities. We assessed the uptake and acceptability of a workplace HIV testing intervention aimed at increasing access to testing in non-clinical settings.Methodology: 20 health check events were delivered at 11 UK organisations employing male migrant workers. Intervention included HIV testing, cholesterol, BMI, blood glucose, blood pressure; tailored health advice; take-away resources; optional post-event text reminders about HIV and general health. Mixed-methods evaluation included exit questionnaires (n=771), follow-up text messages (n=465) and qualitative interviews (n=35) to assess event acceptability. Qualitative data were analysed thematically.Findings: Attendees were 776 employees from 50 countries (51% male; 30% migrant workers). 52% of attendees undertook an HIV test (75% were first-time testers). 96% considered HIV testing to be an acceptable element of workplace health checks. 79% reported new health-related knowledge. 60% of attendees opted for follow-up text messaging.26% of text respondents reported independently taking HIV test post-event. High acceptability and uptake of HIV testing was associated with convenience, opportunity taking (through removal of deliberation and intentional test-seeking), and normalisation of HIV testing within a general health check.Originality/Value: This study is the first to demonstrate that opt-in HIV testing can be successfully delivered in the workplace within a multicomponent health check. The workplace is an effective means of increasing access to HIV testing in groups at risk for HIV, including male migrant workers.

Accessing Voluntary HIV Testing in the Construction Industry: A Qualitative Analysis of Employee Interviews from the Test@Work Study

“…The inclusion of HIV awareness and testing in the workplace setting has been more commonly observed in international studies [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ] and been found to reduce stigma around HIV and testing [ 11 ]. However, to our knowledge, only one UK study has reported on the inclusion of HIV in workplace health checks and found this approach to be well received by employers [ 10 ] and employees [ 16 ]. In the latter study, 92% of employees perceived workplace HIV testing to be acceptable, in a sample including low-waged, male, socially mobile, and migrant workers [ 16 ].…”

“…However, to our knowledge, only one UK study has reported on the inclusion of HIV in workplace health checks and found this approach to be well received by employers [ 10 ] and employees [ 16 ]. In the latter study, 92% of employees perceived workplace HIV testing to be acceptable, in a sample including low-waged, male, socially mobile, and migrant workers [ 16 ].…”

Development and Fidelity Testing of the Test@Work Digital Toolkit for Employers on Workplace Health Checks and Opt-In HIV Testing

“…UK-based research indicates that employers and employees are generally positive about the concept of providing general health checks at work and for HIV testing to be included within a package of other health checks or tests [16][17][18]. However, very few organisations presently offer any form of health checks for their workforce, and opt-in HIV testing is not currently part of this provision [16].…”

“…However, very few organisations presently offer any form of health checks for their workforce, and opt-in HIV testing is not currently part of this provision [16]. When opt-in HIV testing has been included as part of a general health check for employees, the reach and uptake has been high, with even higher rates of testing observed in migrant groups [18], e.g., workers from countries where HIV prevalence is high or rising such as sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Europe [19][20][21]. Employee evaluations of workplace HIV testing are highly positive and highlight the perceived convenience for employees of accessing health tests and receiving individualised health information outside of clinical settings [18].…”

WHIRL Study: Workplace Health Interprofessional Learning in the Construction Industry

“…Although large organisations are more likely to participate in workplace health promotion initiatives due to scale, space and resources, there is an ongoing need to encourage the engagement of small businesses in workforce health initiatives more broadly [ 34 ]. Specifically, general health checks in the workplace have shown to be well-received when delivered [ 35 , 36 ], although they are rarely included in corporate health and wellness programmes in UK organisations of any size [ 37 ].…”