[Final Program, International Conference on AIDS (4th: 1988: Stockholm, Sweden), Book 2]

9529 DISPELLING THE MYTHS: FEAR REDUCING EDUCATIONAL
EFFORTS BY PEOPLE WITH AIDS (PWAs)
National Association of People With AIDS, USA
(panalists to be named at a later date)
Objective. Providing accurate information to the public
reduces irrational fears associated with AIDS. PWAs help
to humanize AIDS by presenting personal perspectives.
These educational efforts break down the stereotypes that
contribute to discrimination and misunderstanding.
Method. Provide basic AIDS information plus a personal
perspective. Present examples of educational programs.
Result. In many rommunities, PWAs play an active role in
public education. AIDS effects all levels of society,
making it necessary for the public to address the issues
surrounding the disease and re-evaluate traditional means
of providing information on safer sex, IV drug use and
basic health issues. Lack of correct understanding of
means of transmission and fear of casual contact are still
fairly prevalent. PWAs have been extremely successful in
sensitizing audiences to the realities of AIDS. The issues
are humanized as discrimination, insensitive treatment and
other aspects of life after diagnosis are discussed. PWAs
who work to educate the public are increasing understanding and creating a more accepting environment for those
who will be diagnosed in the future. PWAs have aggressively sought to educate the public with clear, concise
information in order to dispell the stereotypes and myths
associated with AIDS.
Conclusion. By reducing unfounded fears, PWAs facilitate
more frank discussion of the many issues related to AIDS
and the transmission of the disease. PWA educational
efforts lead to the acceptance of people with AIDS as
understanding is in reased among the general public.

9530 TREATMENT AND THERAPY: HEALTH CARE
SINITIATIVES BY PEOPLE WITH AIDS (PWAs)
National Association of People with AIDS, USA
(Panalist to named at a later date)
Objective. To present programs developed by PWAs designed
to augment available healthcare or to provide alternative
treatments.
Methods. Integrate PWA input into all levels of health
care provision and provide examples of successful
initiatives.
Results.PWAs are active in the treatment of AIDS at
various levels. Imaginative programs have been developed
to address gaps 'n healthcare. The work of PWAs has been
concentrated in: 1. The dissemination of medical information, 2. accessability of drugs and therapies, 3. the
utilization of holistic and alternative approaches.
Impressive libraries, compiled by PWAs, form the basis
of the national information network addressing treatment
issues, often in layperson terms. Information is available
via newsletters, hotlines and small conferences. Out of
this network, "buyer clubs" for treatments like AL-721,
have developed.
Access to care is dependent on knowledge of existing
options. PWAs are working to provide more ethical alternatives to the present system of protocols. Community
Research Initiative (CRI) of New York serves as a prototype for PWA sponsored clinical studies, bringing PWAs
and their doctors into the research process.
PWAs are utilizing unorthodox treatments to improve
their condition. Holistic approaches range from
meditation, the use of crystals, specific diets and
homeopathic remedies.
Conclusion. PWAs contribute significantly to the research
process and in the dissemination of information. As those
on the frontlines of the disease, the urgency brought to
the battle adds an extra dimension to the medical communit4es-reCponsF.

Notes:

9531 THE ROLE OF PEOPLE WITH AIDS AS HEALTH
EDUCATORS IN THE AIDS EPIDEMIC
GE MARGO*, JD DUPREE*, PANEL OF PEOPLE WITH
AIDS**
*AIDSCOM, Washington DC **National Association of
People with AIDS
Objective. To demonstrate that People with AIDS continue
to be most effective in AIDS education and prevention
efforts; and to explore ways of overcoming cultural, moral
and political resistance to their participation in that
capacity.
Methods. Peer educator programs are modeled on the
premise that, for example, teenagers may be more receptive
to messages from other teenagers. When applied to the AIDS
epidemic, this model frequently encounters community
resistance. Though having a teenager with AIDS at a
classroom presentation may be the most effective AIDS
prevention message, school boards and/or parent groups may
resist this. The authors discuss ways of working with
community groups to promote use of People with AIDS, their
families and friends as AIDS educators.
Results. Though health education campaigns have repeatedly
shown the value of peer education, there is still much
resistance to having individuals known to be infected with
HIV appear at public presentations, in classrooms, churches,
etc. A panel of HIV-infected people model ways to overcome
this resistance, demystify people living with HIV infection,
and promote not only healthier lifestyles, but more
compassion and understanding.
Conclusion. People with AIDS/ARC/Ab+, their families and
friends can be effective spokespersons in AIDS prevention
efforts.

9532 AIDS AND VOLUNTEERHOOD:
A THERAPEUTIC PROPOSAL TO THE IMMUNITARIAN
FAILURE.
M.A.Vicini G.Policante,L.Corsi,L.Valsecchi,
A.R.Zanetti, Antonietta Caranel*.
II Division of Infectious Diseases,L.Sacco Hospital,
Milan, Italy.
Institute of Viroloay, University of 'lilan, Italy.
Objective. To say about education and volunteerhood experience, aimed to AIDS affected people on an infectious
diseases ward.
Methods. The volunteers will apply the helping relationship to the individual. The exoerience is periodically
revisioned by a staff composed with a psychologist, a medecin, a social assistant and a chaplain. The volunteers'
educational work oreceded by a lectures and discussions
course consists in fortnight encounters with staff and volunteers.
Results.and conclusion. Our preliminary results seem to
indicate that the helping relationship may be a correct
imput for the identity regaining,and is therefore a more
global and efficient therapeutic approach to AIDS affected people.

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