The economic impact on construction

International literature indicates that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is disproportionately high in South Africa, and that HIV/AIDS should be addressed along with other STDs and TB. Construction is traditionally reliant on labour and is a transient process. The reliance on a poorly educated transient labour force makes the industry particularly susceptible to the dynamics, spread and impact of HIV/AIDS, STDs and TB. The susceptibility is exacerbated by the socio-economic conditions most workers are exposed to. The combating of HIV/AIDS, STDs and TB requires a multistakeholder approach encapsulating interventong other: clients; communities; contractors; government; industry associations; media; tertiary institutions, and unions. The need therefore is amplified by the possible percentage decrease in the number of healthy active workers in the industry as a result of, primarily HIV/AIDS, and the impact thereof. Higher training costs, as well as medical aid, disability and sick leave, as a result of unhealthy inactive workers and additional labour, will negatively affect productivity and quality, and ultimately result in an increase in the cost of constructioner reports on two surveys the first among workers, and the second among general contractors (GCs). The salient findings of the worker survey include: community / society related interventions relative to HIV/AIDS, STDs and TB are more prevalent than employer related interventions; generally, HIV/AIDS related interventions are more prevalent than interventions related to STDs and TB; a degree of misconception exists with respect to the transmission of HIV/AIDS, STDs and TB, and there is a need for increased awareness and the dissemination of information. The salient findings of the GC survey include: HIV/AIDS policies and programmes are prevalent; poster, provision of condoms, and pamphlets / flyers predominate among interventions; employee quality of life and health will be marginalized by the afflictions, a range of employer related interventions would help combat the afflictions, promiscuity, lack of awareness and education have contributed to the spread of the afflictions, and the perceived mean incidence of HIV/AIDS is 8 per 100 workers.