The Business Response to HIV/AIDS: Impact and lesson learned

This multi-pronged programme has been based on well
researched, knowledge-based activities to ensure
effectiveness. The main approach has been to present
factual based education using a variety of mechanisms:
jokes, cartoons, poetry, drama, music video shows and story
telling. This is followed by question and answer sessions
and handouts on the disease, safe sex and living with
HIV/AIDS. Many of the projects have also been undertaken
in partnership with local, national and international
organisations that have provided the technical support.
3. Results and lessons
Chevron Nigeria believe that the HIV/AIDS education
programme has been cost-effective, through reducing
health costs and investing in a workforce that will be less at
risk to HIV infection. Costs have been kept down through
producing materials in-house. Peer-education is seen as a
long term investment ensuring sustainability of the
programmes. The finance department is currently assessing
the actual costs per worker.
Other results identified by the company are: increased
condom use; better informed employees; increased
demand for counselling; reduction of prejudice and
discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS; support
for the company's HIV/AIDS response from the labour
unions; and engagement from the community in facing the
challenge of HIV/AIDS.
The extensive work that has been undertaken has
highlighted some key issues. One the most important
elements being the need to lobby and educate senior
management within the company and labour unions in
order to initiate and maintain responses to HIV/AIDS. The
support of these two groups is essential if employees are to
take seriously the HIV/AIDS education programmes.
Encouraging employees to be proactive in seeking
assistance and counselling is a slow process, but results
from Chevron Nigeria have shown that continual education
has worked over the long-term.

54 THE BUSINESS RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS: Impact and lessons learned