HIV/AIDS in the South African construction industry: understanding the HIV/AIDS discourse for a sector-specific response

Ingrid Meintjes, Paul Bowen and David Root

Construction Management and Economics, 2007, vol. 25, issue 3, 255-266

Abstract: HIV/AIDS is a pandemic with serious implications for South Africa in general, and the South African construction industry in particular. It is the single largest cause of death in South Africa. Against a backdrop of an acute shortage of housing and infrastructure provision, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among construction workers is impacting negatively on the delivery capacity of the industry. The construction sector is uniquely vulnerable to the pandemic but there is limited industry-specific research available. Industry-specific interventions are limited to 'awareness' initiatives at project level. Political ambivalence is a major stumbling block. The institutional audit methodology is used to examine the impact of HIV/AIDS on the construction industry as a whole. This examination is conducted within the prevailing political context within which the industry operates. The construction sector urgently needs to develop mechanisms to manage the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic so that anticipated industry growth is not compromised by the economic, systemic and social impacts of the disease. In South Africa, the CIDB should provide more effective leadership; legislation is required to compel the universal adoption of HIV/AIDS programmes; and a change is needed in the mindset of key role players in the construction industry.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; health care; site operatives; construction sector; South Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1080/01446190601071813

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