HIV/AIDS in private sector companies: cost impacts and responses in southern Africa

The effects of the HIV epidemic, particularly in southern Africa, have been increasingly experienced by companies in recent years. Initially, the lag in presentation of morbidity and mortality allowed companies to ignore the epidemic. However, in the past decade, companies have been confronted with the cost impacts of seriously ill and dying employees. Companies in many countries in the region are strongly engaged in generating effective prevention, and treatment and care responses to the epidemic. However, many small and medium size companies ignore the problem, due to inadequate resources. Nonetheless, some large companies are pioneering best practices in workplace HIV/AIDS programs in prevention, and care and treatment.