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Massmart HIV and AIDS Performance and Risk Update 2014Every year Massmart reviews its HIVand AIDS activities to ensure that its efforts sufficiently address this ongoing health crisis. What follows is a description of Massmart’s current rate of HIV infection among employees, a review of affected employees’ use of Massmart’s treatment programme and a description of the overall effect HIV and AIDS is having on Massmart’s business in 2014.

South Africa has the highest prevalence of HIV and AIDS in the world. Over 6.1 million people tested positive for HIV in 2012 and it is estimated that there are over two million AIDS orphans living in South Africa today*. The disease affects all members of society and its consequences can be felt in homes, schools, communities and workplaces across the country.

To address HIV and AIDS within its business Massmart established a comprehensive HIV/AIDS programme in 2001 under the umbrella of its Impilo wellness offering for employees. Through its HIV and AIDS programme all permanent staff members were first given access to free, confidential testing, counselling and HIV and AIDS education. Then in 2005 Massmart introduced

measured at 5.03%. This is 1.57% lower than the 6.6% recorded in the previous period, and it remains below the national prevalence rate of 10%*.

Voluntary counselling and testing

The accuracy of any company’s HIV prevalence rate depends on the number of employees who participate in voluntary workplace testing. The current rate of participation at Massmart is 74.9% (the percentage of employees attending wellbeing events who opt for HIV testing). This represents 58% of all eligible employees, providing a statistically relevant sample from which to estimate prevalence. Massmart’s prevalence is lower than the group’s target of 6%

HIV prevalence in 2013

From January to December 2013 the level of HIV prevalence at Massmart, which is derived from voluntary testing, was

HIV treatment for HIV-positive employees and their spouses. This treatment still includes care by the doctor of each employee’s choice; vitamins and supplements; antiretroviral (ARVs) drugs and ongoing psychological counselling.

The above images are stock images and do not represent Massmart’s activities in this area

The above images are stock images and do not represent Massmart’s activities in this area

The greatest barrier to voluntary testing, however, is still the fear of stigmatisation. In an attempt to increase participation in voluntary testing, Massmart has introduced other wellbeing screenings, such as health risk assessments, healthy finances and healthy weight, to destigmatise one assessment type over another.

Productivity

Massmart believes that HIV- and AIDS-related workplace absenteeism, which can be quite difficult to ascertain definitively, is currently within manageable parameters. It also seems to be well within the parameters of the company’s historical trends. Massmart’s drive to increase the scope of private medical benefits available to employees was designed mainly as a productivity initiative. Massmart estimates that currently 53.6 % of all of its permanent employees are covered by private medical benefits, representing a 5% increase over the 48.4% coverage achieved in December 2012. The data also indicates that HIV-positive employees on Massmart’s treatment programme are generally healthy and productive as a consequence of the care they are receiving.

HIV- and AIDS-related mortality

Massmart estimates that HIV- and AIDS-related deaths account for 0.7%

of all employees’ in-service mortality. This figure suggests little risk to the group in terms of the loss of critical skills due to HIV and AIDS.As for treatment, many employees who test positive for HIV are already registered on the Impilo programme, a medical aid programme or at government clinics. Alarmingly, there does remain, however, a number of employees (10% of those who test positive for HIV) who say they are not interested in any form of treatment. We continue to reinforce the importance of treatment.

Effectiveness of treatment

The efficacy of Massmart’s HIV treatment programme is evaluated according to the following key criteria:

• All employees must have the opportunity to be tested for HIV and all results must be confirmed according to international testing standards.• All permanent employees and partners who are not on a medical aid scheme are encouraged to join the programme.• Employees must have access to the full spectrum of medical care, with specific reference to medical assessments, pathology tests, medication and care support.• Employees must be guaranteed that their medication will be delivered safely, confidentially and timeously.• Viral suppression levels in individuals must be measured and monitored to ensure that the programme remains clinically effective.• All pregnant mothers must have access to medication to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. • All employees who suspect they have been accidentally exposed to HIV, and who wish to make use of post-exposure prophylaxis, must have access to this treatment immediately.

On the above measures, Massmart finds that its programme is achieving the objective of providing effective diagnosis and treatment on demand.

In the area of employee uptake, however, it was found that both voluntary testing and treatment could be improved through the following specific actions:

• Destigmatising testing opportunities.• Implementing engaging wellbeing day events to maximise participation.• Ensuring enrolment on relevant programmes, not just the Impilo programme.

Massmart remains steadfast in its commitment to encouraging voluntary HIV testing for all employees. In addition, the group will continue to look for new ways to offer employees a useful range of benefits that result in longer, healthier and more productive lives in the future.

* AIDS Foundation of South Africa** Source: Statistics South Africa.

The above images are stock images and do not represent Massmart’s activities in this area

From January to December 2013 the level of HIV prevalence at Massmart

was 5.03%, which is 1.57% lower than the 6.6% recorded in the previous period

and below the national prevalence rate.