Beliefs and Attitudes towards AIDS Policies and Educational Programs among Japanese Businesses

• Published in: Occupational medicine (Oxford) Vol. 46; no. 5; pp. 356 - 360
• Main Authors: Muto, T., Fukuwatari, Y., Onoda, K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.10.1996
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - prevention & control; Adult; AIDS; AIDS/HIV; Attitude to Health; Biological and medical sciences; Commerce; General populations; Health Education - methods; Health Education - trends; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Policy; HIV Infections - prevention & control; HIV prevention; Humans; Japan; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; occupational health services; policy; Prevention and actions; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Surveys and Questionnaires; Asia; Japan; Belief; Human; Immunopathology; Work place; Attitude; AIDS; Health education; Inquiry; Immune deficiency; Infection; Prevention; Health policy; Viral disease; Occupational medicine; Public health; Firm
• ISSN: 0962-7480; 1471-8405
• DOI: 10.1093/occmed/46.5.356

This study was undertaken to clarify the beliefs and attitudes of Japanese businesses towards AIDS. Questionnaires were mailed to 1,655 Japanese companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in June 1993, and the response rate was 38% (n = 620). About 60% of the responding companies had already implemented or were developing AIDS measures. Only 7% of the companies had an AIDS policy, and 5% of the companies were developing one. Eighty-five per cent of the companies perceived AIDS education as necessary, while 53 % of the companies replied that HIV testing was unnecessary. As reasons for providing AIDS education, avoiding discrimination and anxiety in the workplace were frequently cited. Ninety-five per cent of the companies wanted guidelines or manuals for AIDS to be developed by the Ministry of Labour, or to have training courses for personnel in charge of education or counselling provided by the Ministry. Although AIDS measures are currently unsatisfactory in Japanese businesses, they are expected to develop effective measures, considering their high recognition of the need for AIDS education.