By Nangamso Mabindla
5 July 2004

BUFFALO CITY has completed its groundbreaking study of HIV prevalence among its employees.

The study, which began on 21 June, had the municipality offering testing, counselling and healthcare advice to its 5 000 employees.

Shaun Petzer, a Buffalo City health official, was happy with the turnout for the tests, which were conducted by the Medical Research Council of South Africa.

"We were ecstatic with the co-operation we received from the employees; it showed that people were concerned about their health and were brave enough to be tested," Petzer said.

It also showed their confidence in this study, he added.

The researchers, when introducing the study to the City's directors and councillors, said they had wanted to test 700 employees as such a number would give a clear indication of the percentage of employees with the virus.

"Instead of getting the 700 we were expecting, we tested 1 100 employees. In fact, in King Williams town we turned people away," Petzer said.

Petzer said another reason for the good turnout was the lead taken by the City's leaders.

"When leaders are willing to do something for the good of the employees, we will follow. I would like to thank them for their assistance in making this study a success."

The results of the study are expected this week. Employees who are found to be HIV positive will undergo further tests.