A crossfield literature review of the HIV and AIDS impacts on the Ugandan workforce through the HRD lens

Abstract

This study performed a literature review of five crossfields (economic, educational, medical, political, and socio-cultural) utilizing human resource development (HRD) models, tools, definitions, and theories to understand how the findings of HIV and AIDS impacts on Uganda can be managed with HRD importance to improve the workforce and decrease HIV and AIDS incidence and prevalence. The study concerns Uganda’s (1) HIV and AIDS history, (2) workforce demographics, (3) decentralized government for diffusion capabilities, (4) AIDS fundings, international nongovernmental organizations (INGOs), and their effectiveness, and (5) utilization of change agents to overcoming socio-cultural barriers in the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS. Human Resource Development (HRD) theories examined are Lewin Field Theory involving leadership identification characteristics as they interact with the group dynamics in force fields, Nadler’s Hierarchal Order for Training and Development, and Organizational Development in Systems, Swanson’s Systems Ringland, and Shoemaker’s Performance Improvement Performance Needs Model, Swanson and Holton’s Basic Human Resource Development Model, Kuhn’s use of paradigms, Dubin’s Theory Building Model, and The Body of Knowledge Model. Findings indicate ten major areas where the workforce could be improved and decreases in HIV and AIDS incidence and prevalence could occur. These areas are: (1) overcoming socio-cultural stigmas, (2) increased verifiable HIV testing and treatment, (3) HRD instructions, strategies, tools, and skills for training and development, organizational development, and cultural sensitivity for Westerners; (4) evaluation tools for measuring INGO activities: accountability needed, (5) implementation of the ABC Program transnationally, (6) advocacy for maintaining philanthropy, (7) building of infrastructures and schools - increasing teachers, managers, and engineers and apprenticeships, 8) empowering women and orphans with skills and education, (9) partnering resources and decision making amongst stakeholders and (10) outlining areas for further research.