Final Program and Oral Abstracts [International Conference on AIDS (8th: 1992: Amsterdam, Netherlands)]

THURSDAY, 23 JULY 1992

ThD 1500-ThD 1502

ThD 15 HIV-SEROPOSITIVITY, VIOLENCE AND THE
Th 15 FUNCTION OF A SELF-HELP GROUP IN A BUENOS AIRES PRISON.
Vazuez Acua. Martin*; Faas, L.**; HIV+ self-help group***
*Juge of the court of appeal in criminal matters in the Federal
s lsem. Buenos Aores **Msc Anthropology, University of Amsterdam
***"Villa Devoto prison Buenos Aires
Issue: Finding ways to diminish outbursts of violence amongst HIV-seropositive men
in Buenos Aires prison "Villa Devoto".
Project: The HIV+ inmates form a self-help group that, with help of a judge, establishes contacts with NGOs that bring updated information on HIV-disease, give
classes in first aid and hygiene and provide psychological help. In addition the
self-help group finds a pharmaceutical company prepared to deliver test-kits free
of charge so that regular serological check-ups can be made. A in HIV-disease specia
lised hospital analyses the blood samples and gives medical care according the results. An anthropologist is permitted to interview the members of the self help
group in order to obtain insight in problems in the field of family relations, drug
addiction and sexuality. Together with the self-help group a prevention plan is formed that is to contain further spread of HIV in prison and diminish riskbehaviour
after release back into society.
Results: For half a year there have not been outbursts of violence, the HIV+ inmates
comment on a more positive outlook on life, medical care has improved, understanding
of prisonguards for the HIV problem has grown, inmates who do not know their HIV
status state to have become more aware of the need of practising safer-sex.
Lessons learned: Through the self-help group the HIV+ inmates succeeded in improving
their physical and mental condition, grounds for violent actions thus disappeared.
The support of the self-help group was imperative in developing a prevention plan
confronting the complexities of sexual life and drugaddiction in prison.
Vazquez Acufa Martin, Judge of the court of appeal in criminal
matters in the Federal system, Buenos Aires. Coronel Diaz 2277
1425 Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tel: [phone]; Fax: -1-112180
ThD 1502 B"SOMEBODY ELSE IN YOUR PICTURE"--THE
Th 1 5 2 BLACK C.A.P. MODEL.
Stewart, Douglas,; Falconer, D.A. Black Coalition For AIDS
Prevention, Toronto, Canada
Issue: The Black communities in Toronto consist of predominantly immigrants from a
diversity of cultural backgrounds with most originating from the Caribbean. With
limited resources, the Black Coalition For AIDS Prevention (Black CAP) had the
challenges of incorporating gender, class and sexual orientation and making these
resources most effective in addressing the diversity of attitudes, values and belief
systems to enable the communities to deal with HIV Disease.
Description of Project: In structuring and planning, Black CAP identifies and acknowledges the inclusion of diversity across the lines of culture, gender, class and
sexual orientation in all of its programmes. This encourages and gives voice, participation and representation to the various cultural communities of the Black
population in the shaping and delivery of all of our programmes.
Results: In the past three years, Black CAP has been successful in breaking the
silence and denial around HIV Disease in the Black communities through the following:
1) increased ownership of HIV Disease as an issue by Black people; 2) increased
access to not only Black CAP resources, but also to AIDS services in general; 3) increased participation in Black CAP service delivery; and 4) development of other AIDS
education and support projects. Awareness has been heightened in the Black communities not only around HIV Disease, but also around homophobia, heterosexism, classism
and sexism.
Lessons Learned: Participants will learn strategies that will assist them in developing models for addressing cultural diversity within an AIDS prevention and support
program as well as tools to encourage community ownership of HIV Disease.

ThD 1501 PARTICIPATORY APPROACH TO AIDS PREVENTION
THE KASISI PROJECT IN ZAMBIA
*N. PHIRI **pF. KWEEKEH *J. NYAMBE AND *B.U. CHIRWA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH *WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ISSUE PROBLEM Introducing AIDS intervention in a rural community
posed a major challenge to both local and health workers. Most local people did not
perceive AIDS as a major problem. HIV infected persons were thought to be suffering
from traditionally perceived illnesses. e.g. ICHIFUBA CHAMANKOWESHA.
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT Two local farmer who had visited urban areas and had met
and seen AIDS patients realized that what they were seeing in Kasisi a village 50Km
from Lusaka the capital was clearly AIDS. Based on information on leaflets they
initiated discussions on AIDS. However people did not take this information seriously.
Since they thought fellow farmers had no authority nor credibility to carry AIDS
messages. However they perserved and enlisted the support of local health workers,
missionaries and teachers. The catalyst of the activities was when a team of Ministry
of Health and World Health Organization visited the place (area).
RESULTS One year later, church leaders, one traditional birth attendant, teacher,
local health workers have joined the two initiators. And an AIDS campaign with a
revolving drama has been carried in neighbouring 22 villages.
LESSONS LEARNT While energies exist in communities it is clear that external
sources may be required to harness them. It is also clear that external links need
to work with local people to achieve results as well as sustain and build on to
initial efforts.
PHIRI NICHOLAS
MINISTRY OF HEALTH P.O. BOX 50205 LUSAKA
TEL [phone]
NOTES

Stewart, Douglas & Falconer, Dionne A., Black Coalition For AIDS
Prevention, 597 Parliament St. Ste 103, Toronto, Canada M4X 1W3
Telephone: [phone], FAX: [phone]

NOTES

NOTES

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