every continent in the world. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that by the end of this decade, 40 million people will have been infected with the AIDS virus.

Since the AIDS epidemic has continued to spread both globally and locally, the consequences of having this disease has increased in the workplace.

Employers are now being forced to confront issues related to AIDS such as employee fears and company policy decisions. Education is one of the tools used to help prevent the spread of this disease as well as the best guarantee that workers will respond rationally and compassionately to a co-worker with AIDS.

Businesses are the ones who can play a leading role in AIDS education as they already have with other employee concerns like physical fitness, smoking cessation and blood pressure screenings.

Employees need to know that AIDS is a preventable disease. Company-based education programmes can provide factual, non-judgmental information to both employers and employees. Here are few suggestions and guidelines to consider when planning a comprehensive employee education programme.

Educate top management. They need to be empathetic and sensitive to AIDS-related issues.

Establish a Resource/Education Committee composed of managers and employees.

Decide on the information needs for the company and its employees, including factual information about transmission, behaviours that put people at risk and stigmas associated with an AIDS diagnosis.

Identify the needs of specific audiences (e.g. non-English speaking, parents etc.) within the general employee population.

Delivery of the AIDS education programme needs to be more than a one-time effort. People learn at different rates and through different methods.

Repetition should be the key element of the programme. After the initial session, information can focus on "a fact a month'', or an "update on AIDS''. Fear reduction and behaviour modification are not easily accomplished and are impossible without repeated emphasis of the basic messages.

Designating an "AIDS Resource Person'' at each office or floor is an important step as well. This person should be able to answer questions about company policy on benefits and other personnel issues related to AIDS. By using a person such as a person from EAP, the confidentiality can be ensured of affected employees.

Distribution of brochures is another effective method. They are convenient because they can provide information about basic facts and available resources such as AIDS Helpline numbers, where to go for AIDS testing etc.

AIDS education can also be provided to employees through group employee meetings or in service training sessions. They are easy to conduct and are effective in reaching employees. Information can also be provided through employee newsletter articles or inter-office memos.

Large and small companies cannot continue to feel unaffected by this epidemic.

Employee concerns and fears can have a serious impact on work productivity and can cause disruption in the work environment. AIDS has stirred up controversy in most communities and unfortunately, Bermuda has not been exempt from this.

Further information can be obtained from the Department of Health by calling 236-0224 ext 326. Rhonda C.K. Daniels Nurse Epidemiologist.