Benedikt Hassler

Acceptability and willingness to use HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among HIV-negative men who have sex with men in Switzerland

ABSTRACT Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is discussed as an additional HIV prevention method targeting men who have sex with men (MSM). So far, PrEP has not been approved in Switzerland and only little is known about the acceptability of PrEP among MSM living in Switzerland. Given the slow uptake of PrEP among MSM in the USA, the objectives of the study were to investigate the acceptability for PrEP and to identify factors influencing the acceptability for this prevention method and the willingness to adopt it. During a 4-month period we conducted five focus group discussions with 23 consecutively sampled HIV-negative MSM aged 22–60 years living in Switzerland. We analyzed the data according to qualitative content analysis. The acceptability of PrEP varied considerably among the participants. Some would use PrEP immediately after its introduction in Switzerland because it provides an alternative to condoms which they are unable or unwilling to use. Others were more ambivalent towards PrEP but still considered it (1) an additional or alternative protection to regular condom use, (2) an option to engage in sexual activities with less worries and anxieties or (3) a protection during receptive anal intercourse independently of the sexual partners protective behaviour. Some participants would not consider using PrEP at all: they do not see any benefit in PrEP as they have adopted safer sex practices and did not mention any problems with condom use. Others are still undecided and could imagine using an improved form of PrEP. The results provide a valuable basis for a model explaining the acceptability of PrEP among MSM and suggest including the personal HIV protection strategy in the considerations adopted.

The intention to use HIV-pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men in Switzerland: testing an extended explanatory model drawing on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT)

AimThe aim of this study was to determine the intention to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) when available and to identify predictors of the intention to use PrEP among men who have sex with men (MSM) living in Switzerland. The theoretical model drew on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and considered additional variables related specifically to PrEP, HIV protection and the resources of MSM.Subject and methodsFor data collection, we used an anonymous, standardized self-administered online questionnaire. In 2015, we gathered a convenience sample of 556 HIV-negative MSM living in Switzerland. We analyzed the data using descriptive and bivariate statistics and used structural equation modeling to test the hypothesized model.ResultsPredictors of respondents’ moderate intention to use PrEP were performance expectancy, effort expectancy, perceived social influence, concerns about using PrEP, attitudes toward condom use, negative experiences of condom use and age. These variables were predicted by HIV protection-related aspects and resources.ConclusionThe findings provide insights into the complex dynamic underlying the intention to use PrEP.

Disability management and organizational culture in Australia and Canada

BACKGROUND Organizational culture has received increasing attention in terms of its influence on workplace health and productivity, yet there has been little research on its relationship with employer-based disability programs. OBJECTIVE This study explored the relationship between disability management and organizational culture in Australian and Canadian organizations. METHODS Thematic analysis was conducted on data from semi-structured interviews with 16 employees, including injured workers, human resource managers and disability managers in two Australian and two Canadian large organizations. RESULTS Seven themes were identified: 1. Consistency between espoused beliefs and artifacts in organization; 2. Genuineness of interest in well-being of injured worker; 3. Level of ongoing support of worker following injury; 4. Communication with injured workers; 5. Level of support from supervisors and co-workers; 6. Promptness in claims processing and covering medical costs and; 7. Focus on wellness and injury prevention. It was found that organizational culture may impact the delivery and perceived value of employer-based disability management programs. CONCLUSIONS Given the potential relationship between organizational culture and disability management, employers should facilitate a positive workplace culture by ensuring consistency among underlying values, espoused values and actual treatment of employees, including injured workers.

International employee perspectives on disability management

Abstract Purpose: To provide an international analysis of employees’ views of the influence of disability management (DM) on the workplace. Methodology: An international research team with representation from Australia, Canada, China, and Switzerland collected survey data from employees in public and private companies in their respective regions. Due to lack of availability of current measures, a research team-created survey was used and a total of 1201 respondents were collected across the four countries. Analysis: Multiple linear (enter) regression was also employed to predict DM’s influence on job satisfaction, physical health, mental health, workplace morale and reduced sickness absence, from respondents’ perceptions of whether their company provided disability prevention, stay-at-work, and return-to-work initiatives within their organization. One-way ANOVA comparisons were used to examine differences on demographic variables including company status (public versus private), union status (union versus nonunion), and gender. Results: The perceived influence of DM programs was related to perceptions of job satisfaction; whereas, relationships with mental health, physical health, morale, and sickness absence were variable according to type of DM program and whether the response was related to self or others. Difference analyses (ANOVA) revealed significantly more positive perceptions for private and nonunion organizations; no gender effects were found. Conclusions: There is perceived value of DM from the perspective of employees, especially with respect to its value for coworkers. Implications for Rehabilitation Rehabilitation efforts should continue to focus attention on the value of disability management (DM). In particular, DM that is fully committed to the biopsychosocial model would be supported by this research. Employees reported the most value in the psychosocial variables addressed by DM, such that rehabilitation professionals could focus on these valued aspects to improve buy-in from employees. The interest in coworker value may provide another avenue for rehabilitation efforts to increase uptake, by highlighting the value of intervention efforts for employee coworkers. Rehabilitation professionals in union environments may need to be particularly cognizant of the need for encouraging psychosocial and coworker value potentially seen by employees in order to increase acceptance and participation for organizational DM efforts.

„Arbeiten, solange der Körper mitmacht“: Betriebliche Herausforderungen im Zusammenhang mit Einfacharbeit und alternden Belegschaften

Zusammenfassung In der Debatte um demografischen Wandel und Fachkräftemangel wurden die mit Einfacharbeit und alternden Belegschaften verbundenen Herausforderungen bislang kaum in den Blick genommen. Hinweise in der Forschungsliteratur zeigen jedoch, dass in diesem bislang vernachlässigten Themenfeld sowohl auf Seiten der Unternehmen als auch auf Seiten der Forschung Handlungsbedarf besteht. Der vorliegende Beitrag legt den aktuellen Stand der Forschung zu Einfacharbeit und alternden Belegschaften dar und diskutiert auf der Grundlage einer qualitativen empirischen Studie unter Personalverantwortlichen in Unternehmen und Expertinnen und Experten in der Schweiz die Belastungen für die Beschäftigten, die betrieblichen Herausforderungen und deren Reaktion darauf. In der Studie hat sich gezeigt, dass die Personalverantwortlichen in Unternehmen insbesondere physische Belastungen als Herausforderungen in Bezug auf Einfacharbeit und alternde Belegschaften identifizieren. Die betrieblichen Maßnahmen, mit denen darauf reagiert wird, sind meist reaktiv und individuell. Systematische Aktivitäten in Bezug auf den Umgang mit altersbedingten Herausforderungen in Einfacharbeit, insbesondere bezüglich Qualifikation und Alter, wurden hingegen kaum identifiziert.