Industry Health Management Guidelines Integrating HIV and TB in OSH – Putting an End to Parallel Systems!

Introduction
African industries face the challenge of having to manage employee health in general, and a high vulnerability to HIV- and TB transmission in particular. In the past decade, parallel structures have been set up in countries and in companies to deal with HIV and TB at the workplace and occupational safety and health (OSH). In collaboration with Eastern and Southern African business associations, the East African Business Council (EABC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), German International Cooperation (GIZ) developed industry health management guidelines integrating HIV and TB control in OSH.

Methods
Multi-country on-site investigations and qualitative research involving employees, employers, insurance companies and government structures. In a participatory process recommended health standards and implementation guidelines were adapted to regional workplace environments.

Results
The integrated health management guidelines enabled hotel and transport companies to adhere to the legislative requirements, to contribute to major national health goals and to gain reputation for overall quality improvement. The guidelines combine in an innovative way traditional aspects of OSH in the industries “Hotels” and “Transport” with multisectoral aspects of HIV and TB control. They are further promoted as part of comprehensive quality improvement strategies.

Discussion
n partnership with the East African Business Council (EABC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) industries of regional relevance were guided to integrate HIV and TB control in OSH. This is a first step in ending parallel systems in managing health issues at the workplace in African countries with high HIV and TB prevalence. Vehicles of this approach were quality initiatives of the East African hotel industry and the Southern African road transport industry. By developing quality standards and accompanying implementation guidelines on health as one of various quality issues, associations and companies were enabled and encouraged to better organize their HIV- and TB-management as part of OSH.