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Family Health Needs One of the studies currently underway is investigating the impact of HIV/AIDS on the work and caregiving responsibilities of families in Botswana. Respondents report on the ways in which caring for family members affects their ability to work, on the effect of the need to work on their ability to care for HIV-affected family members, and on the impact their own health has on their ability to work. The study compares the experience of those living with or caring for others with HIV/AIDS to the experience of those living with other chronic health problems and to those with no health problems. The study utilizes both closed-ended and semi-structured, open-ended interview instruments. Since June 2000, Dr. Heymann’s team has conducted 250 in-depth interviews for this study. Participants are recruited at Government health clinics in one village (Molepolole), one town (Lobatse) and one city (Gaborone). Participants are eligible if they are working or have worked in the past six months in either the informal or formal sector, and if they are the primary caregiver for at least one other person. Study participants are recruited at outpatient clinics. The response rate in this study is 96%. Of those interviewed, 46% of respondents have been single, 32% married, 14% cohabiting, 3% divorced, 4% widowed, and 1% separated. Education level of respondents is as follows: 8% had no formal education, 33% had attended or completed primary school, 37% had attended or completed junior secondary school, 13% had attended or completed senior secondary school, and 9% had attended a tertiary education program or university. Seventy-six percent of respondents work in the formal sector and 24% in the informal sector. Of those employed, 37% work in the public sector, 44% work in the private sector, and 17% are self-employed. Fifty-seven percent of respondents interviewed in addition to working were caring for a family member or friend with HIV/AIDS at least once per week. Preliminary analysis of these data have revealed a number of important insights regarding how work structure may increase or decrease HIV risk in employees through factors including:
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