HIV-Positive Educators in South African Public Schools

Predictions for prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy While it has long been suspected that HIV prevalence among educators is high, there has been no scientific study to assess this. Responding to the need for empirical evidence, the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) commissioned the Human Sciences Research Council-led consortium to conduct this nationwide research assessing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, as well as issues such as the health status and attrition of our educators. The results of the research suggest that the high number of our educators living with AIDS is cause for serious concern. This report is part of a broader report and presents predictions for prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy. The ELRC, as representative of both employers and unions, is best suited to facilitate the means to address the recommendations of this study.

List of tables and figures
Abbreviations

1. Background
2. Objectives and methodology
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion and recommendations
6. References

Appendix

A Results of forensic audit conducted at CLS, January 2005
B Description of PLG CD4 methodology used
C Conclusions and recommendations

Addendum 1: PLG CD4: Extended window of testing to 5 days
Addendum 2: Supportive data from R&D, BCI, Miami, FL, USA
Addendum 3: Table of cross-platform equivalency testing
Addendum 4: Performance of laboratories participating in the WHO/QASI/NHLS CD4 REQAS

Bibliography/references

Thomas M. Rehle, M.D., MSc., Ph.D., specialised in tropical medicine and in infectious disease epidemiology and has almost 20 years of expertise in HIV/AIDS/STI, malaria and TB in particular. His extensive work experience with national programmes in the USA and the NGO community in the developing world is complemented by a longstanding close collaboration with UNAIDS/WHO, US and European donor agencies, and other international development organisations. An independent consultant in international health and disease control based in Washington DC since 2001, Dr. Rehle recently joined the HSRC as a Director in the Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Health (SAHA) Research Programme.

Dr Olive Shisana is the Executive Director and founder of the Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Health Research Programme at the HSRC. Prior to joining the HSRC she served as Professor of Health Systems at the National School of Public Health at the Medical University of Southern Africa, where she was a leading founder of a post-graduate diploma on the management of HIV/AIDS in the world of work, launched by the South African Deputy President in 2001. Before this appointment, she served as Executive Director of Family and Community Health at the World Health Organisation in Geneva. In the latter portfolio, she established the WHO HIV/AIDS/STI initiative, and became a founding member of the Partnership on AIDS in Africa.

Professor Deborah Glencross is the Head of the Division of Flow Cytometry in the Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology at the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School and the National Health Laboratory Services in Johannesburg.

Mark Colvin is an epidemiologist at the Medical Research Council in Durban