Citation

Meekers D. Int. J. STD AIDS 2000; 11(1): 21-26.

Affiliation

Research Division, Population Services International, Washington, DC 20036, USA. dmeekers@psiwash.org

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10667896

Abstract

This paper uses data from a 1995 survey of gold miners in the Welkom area and a 1997 follow-up survey to examine trends in HIV/AIDS knowledge, risk perception, sexual risk behavior, and condom use among gold miners in South Africa. Findings showed that the percentage of gold miners who believed that they were likely to get infected with HIV increased significantly from 22% in 1995 to 35% in 1997. The data likewise showed reduction in sexual activity with casual partners and commercial sex workers, and a decrease in the number of sex partners. Condom use during the last sexual contact with a spouse increased from 18% to 26%. Although condom use with other partners was high, the number did not significantly increase between 1995 and 1997. In conclusion, there is substantial evidence of an increased awareness of the personal risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS, with less risky sexual behavior and increased condom use. These changes are most likely due to the AIDS awareness programs implemented by the mining industry and the behavior changes resulting from condom social marketing campaigns specifically targeted at miners and commercial sex workers in the mining community.

Language: en