HEARD conducts research on the socio-economic aspects of public health, especially the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It is based in South Africa at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, but its operations are international in scope. The intent is to inspire health and development strategies that improve the welfare of people in and beyond Africa.

HEARD conducts inter-disciplinary research to produce scientific knowledge and effective interventions. Our ethos is to share knowledge and transfer skills. This agenda is based on having a dedicated team of multi-skilled staff and a commitment to training African researchers. In sum, we aim to influence global thinking and action on health and development.

HEARD is currently conducting a Workplace VCT Uptake Study with two primary objectives:

• the scientific aim is to provide new knowledge on reasons for low uptake of VCT and ART services in workplace settings and estimate the associated economic costs
• the practical aim is to improve VCT and ART uptake in workplace settings with improved practical interventions and estimate the associated economic costs and benefits.

The three-year project will pose the following three key questions:

• What are the constraints to increasing VCT and ART uptake in workplace settings?
• What are the costs of a less than optimal uptake of VCT and ARV?
• What factors will increase VCT and ART uptake in workplace settings?

Stage One of the project will involve an empirical study and modification of an existing workplace programme. An economic cost-benefit study will be done to measure the value of the VCT/ART services. An ethnographic study based on psychological assessments to understand the individual and contextual risk influences associated with workers' use of existing workplace VCT/ART services will also be conducted.

Click on the icon below to  view the report brief.

Workplace VCT Uptake Project 26/04/2007,16:27 46.00 Kb

Another of HEARD's projects, entitled “Operationalising HIV/AIDS Issues for Development”, examined the form and content of ART programmes amongst a sample of Southern African companies. Specifically, the study examined the nature of partnerships between pharmaceutical suppliers and recipient companies, the cost of ART programmes and the experiences of supplier and recipient companies. The results of the study will be used to write a guideline manual for companies on appropriate strategies and plans for instituting ART programmes in the workplace.

Click here to access the report.
Click here for a list of research projects.
Click here for a list of research by theme/category.
Click here for the HEARD website.