An analysis of the relationship between lack of workplace recreational facilities in Debswana operations for young mine workers and their vulnerability to HIV infection
Kono, Segosha Seikeletse
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research study sought to examine the existing workplace programmes and policy that address the causes of HIV vulnerability amongst mine workers, to identify gaps in the existing workplace programmes and provide recommendations that could help to reduce HIV vulnerability for young mine workers. On the assumption that social identities can influence people's behaviour, the study looked at the way in which mine workers construct their social identities within their working and living environment. The paper also examined the way in which the construction of masculinities predisposes miners to HIV infection. The study also investigated the interrelatedness of lack of recreational facilities for young mine workers in Debswana Mines and their vulnerability to HIV infection.
This research study was based on focus group discussions and semi-structured in-depth interviews.
It was found that men who participated in recreational activities or who use their leisure time positively will be less involved in risky habits and sexual relationships. The results show that men need carefully structured opportunities to consider how dominant ideologies of masculinity, and the role relationship they reinforce, may disadvantage them as well as their partners, and that men who were involved in social groups and peer support groups developed a positive attitude and are likely to try to live up to the positive expectation of the group. The results also show that some men are not aware of the benefits of recreational activities and how they can improve their social life. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gegewe die hoë vlak van MIV infeksie in Debswana Myne, is daar 'n dringende behoefte vir 'n respons wat die myners se spesifieke kwesbaarhede tot MIV/Vigs aanspreek. Sulke response moet op die sosiale en kontekstuele realiteite wat mynwerkers in die gesig staar gebaseer word.
Hierdie studie het gepoog om die bestaande werksplekprogramme en beleid, wat die oorsake van MIV kwesbaarheid onder mynwerkers aanspreek, te ondersoek om gapings in huidige werksplekprogramme te identifiseer en aanbevelings te maak wat kan help om MIV kwesbaarheid onder jong mynwerkers te verminder. Op die aanname dat sosiale identiteite persone se gedrag kan beïnvloed, het die studie gekyk na die manier hoe mynwerkers hul sosiale identiteite binne hul werks- en leefwêrelde konstrueer. Die studie het ook die wyse ondersoek hoe die konstruksie van manlike identiteite myners tot MIV infeksie vatbaar maak. Die studie het ook die onderlinge verband tussen 'n tekort aan ontspanningsfasiliteite vir jong mynwerkers by Debswana Myne en hul kwesbaarhied aan MIV infeksie ondersoek.
Hierdie navorsing het gebruik gemaak van fokusgroepe en semi-gestruktureerde in-diepte onderhoude.
Daar is gevind dat mans wie aan ontspanningsaktiwiteite deelgeneem het, of wie hul ontspanningstye positief gebruik het, minder betrokke in waagsame gewoontes en seksuele verhoudings sal wees. Die bevindinge wys dat mans 'n behoefte het aan sorgvuldig gestruktureerde geleenthede om te dink oor dominante ideologieë van manlikheid, en hoe die rolverwantskap wat hulle versterk tot hul en hul vennote se nadeel strek. Mans wie deelgeneem het aan sosiale groepe en portuursteungroepe het positiewe houdings ontwikkel, en sal waarskynlik probeer om die positiewe verwagtinge van die groep na te kom. Die bevindinge wys ook dat van die mans nie van die voordele van ontspanningsaktiwiteite bewus was en hoe hulle hul sosiale lewe kan verbeter nie. Description:
Assignment (MPhil (Industrial Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
Masters Degrees (Industrial Psychology)