Abstracts Vol. 1 [International Conference on AIDS (11th: 1996: Vancouver, Canada)]

Track D: Social Science: Research, Policy & Action
Mo.D. 1914
HIV INFECTION AND HIV RISK BEHAVIOUR AMONG TRUCK DRIVERS IN
TAMILNADU,INDIA:AN ATTEMPT ON MODELLING THE RISK FACTORS
S.Shanmuganandan*, A.Uma, R.Maniyosai*, K.Vahitha Begum*, M.Thiruvalluvan. Madural
Kamaraj University, Palkalainagar Madurai, India: * Madurai Medical College, Madurai,
Tamilnadu, India
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of HIV infection and associated HIV risk behaviours among long-haul drivers and to make an attempt on modelling the risk behaviours in
Tamilnadu,_India ii) to analyse the socioeconomic and sociocultural characteristics of the
long - haul drivers in relation to the risk of HIV infection.
Methods: A sample of I 25 Long-haul truck drivers identified with risky sexual behaviour
were identified anrid a detailed interview schedule was employed. With the help of the identification suitable variables reported with high sexual behaviour; an attempt was made to
model the selected variables. A multivariate statistical tool was employed to model the risk
behaviour of long-haul drivers.
Results: The analysis of reported HIV infection was generally found to be higher among
long-haul truck drivers (67%).The levels of reported sexual behaviour were high with 61%
of the respondents and reported to have heterosexual affair and out of these 64 to 79%
had vaginal intercourse with causal partners and primary partner(s) respectively reported
never using condoms. A reluctance in using the condoms was noticed among 73% of the
long haul drivers.The socioeconomic status of the long haul drivers revealed that the
majority of the drivers (65%) were lower middle and poor income groups.The model has
come out with the finding that the risky sexual behaviour particularly unsafe sexual behaviour increased the risk of HIV infection.
Discussion and Conclusion: The modelling situation of HIV revealed high and complex sexual behaviour for the potential for transmission amongst heterosexual behaviour drivers
who have never used the condoms on several occasions. Whereas the long haul drivers
who carry the high risk behaviour were reluctant to use condoms.
Dr: S. Shanmuganandan,Ph.D., Ishwarya, Plot No:72, Pasupathy Naga, Madurai-625014,
Tamilnadu, India
Mo.D. 1915
AIDS/FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMME INVOLVING TRADITIONAL HEALERS AND
TRADITIONAL BIRTH ATTENDANTS - THE TH/TBA PROGRAMME
Joyce Kalemba, Isreal Kadhumbula,Tibatemwa Mutyabule, Tusubira Health and Research
Foundation R O. Box 117,Wobulenzi.
Issue: The people in the rural areas especially women usually have little or no access to
health care facilities and educational programmes and they have access to traditional Birth
Attendants and Traditional Healers.
Project: An AIDS/Family Planning Program targeting the women in the rural areas for
Education and prevention using the Traditional Birth Attendants and Traditional healers
was initiated in four Health areas.The direction was taken to determine the effect of
Traditional Healers/Traditional Birth Attendants involvement would have on AIDS prevention and family planning among the rural community. Strategies included Training
Traditional Healers/Traditional Birth Attendants dissemination of Health Information, HIV
testing and counselling,Traditional Birth Attendants kits (including condoms and pills) and
Basic Health messages.
Results: The Traditional Healers/Traditional Birth Attendants got confidence in their work
and the community had openness in consulting and receiving care from them. In one year
the programme recorded 3.948 interventions distributed 8678 condoms 1298 Form pills
conducted 20 workshops recorded 348 Deliveries refered 824 complicated cases and 248
persons were tested and counselled. But on evaluation it was revealed that about 5815
condoms 67% an 92 I Form pills 71% were not put in proper use.
Lessons Learned: Most communities have the trust in the Traditioneal Healer and Birth
Attendant. Building collaborative partnerships and their full participation at all stages would
enable all involved to fight against AIDS, but to own good results must be under proper
monitoring and supervision of qualified health workers.
Mo.D.1916
NATIVE AMERICAN TRAINING INITIATIVE:A MODEL FOR COLLABORATION
BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES
Forbes, Allen. Controneo, Richard, New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute
Issue: Strained relations between indigenous people and various levels of government present an obstacle to the development and delivery of culturally appropriate HIV prevention
education for indigenous people.
Project: The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute's Special Populations
eout the State's resnier vtion urbain and rural communities, 2) collaborate with state govmernment to ci-ete int delivci cultural competency training curiculum for HIV/AIDS service
pioviders vised on the ioeerch findings and 3) collaborate with state government to develop cuilturally appiopiaite postei s and biochures for- use in educating Nitive Arcnericans.
Results: Reserch findings overwhelmingly indicated that the community believes the most
effective HIV prevention ictvities involved Native American community members educating
their owin communities.The oiginali intent of the project was expanded to include training
in basic HIV/AIDS infermisttion foi Native American community members who wished to
servo as ciominunity educ ilnis.Tineod Native Ameican H-IV/AIDS community educators
exist in each reservation, urbin and ruial community with a significant Native Anmerican
populatin. Cultuiril competency training for service piovideis focused on buildiing the
capacity of fHIV seivice pioviders to assist and empower these Native Ameican community
educators. Approximately I 80 service providers were trained. Evaluation of each element of
the Initiative was highly favorable.
Lesson Learned: Governments can effectively engage indigenous people in HIV prevention

education through pursuing approaches which, I) involve active collaboration with community based organizations representative of indigenous peoples and, 2) empower indigenous
people to educate their own communities.
Allen Forbes, NYS Department of Health, AIDS Institute, ESP CorningTower Building, Rm.
270, Albany, NY I 22317 Telephone: 518 I -474-3045 Fax: 518 I -486-5693

Mo.D.1914 - Mo.D.1920
Mo.D. 1917
NATIVE HAWAIIAN CLIENT PROFILES FROM THE NNAAPC NATIONAL CLIENT
DATA BASE
Pua Aiu. Papa Ola Lokahi
Native Hawaiians have the second highest rate of HIV infection in Hawaii.Without education
and prevention measures, AIDS has the potential to wipe out the entire Hawaiian population.
Papa Ola Lokahi, through a grant from the National Native American AIDS Prevention
Center (NNAAPC), is taking a unique cultural approach to HIV/AIDS case management.
This paper will look at the data generated by that case management program and compare
it to the other projects in the NNAAPC national data base.
Preliminary analysis of the data suggests that the Hawaiian project has a more women
enrolled in the program than other programs, despite men still having the highest AIDS prevalence rates.The data also suggest substance abuse patterns between Native Hawaiians and
American Indians with HIV/AIDS are different. Native Hawaiians in the program have a higher
incidence of drug abuse, while Native Americans have a higher incidence of alcohol abuse.
Taking a close look at the different risk patterns in different cultural communities will mean
that agencies can more closely tailor their programs to the cultures that they serve.
NNAAPC has found overall that its Ahalaya model does improve the quality of life for
HIV/AIDS clients.This program specifically addresses cultural needs in HIV/AIDS case mangagement.The data collected, and to be presented supports recognition of cultural differences in HIV/AIDS case management.
Puaalaokalani D Aiu Tel.: [phone]
Mo.D. 1918
EFFECTIVE CASE MANAGEMENT FOR HIV-INFECTED AMERICAN INDIANS AND
NATIVE HAWAIIANS
Barney, David D. National Native American AIDS Prevention Center: Oklahoma City OK, USA
Objective:To identify the aspects of successful HIV-case management programs, with a special emphasis on the role of traditional healing and cultural responsiveness for American
Indians and Native Hawaiians.
Methods: A qualitative approach consisting of focus groups of HIVinfected American
Indians and Native Hawaiians was conducted over a two year period at four sites nationwide.These focus groups assessed the overall effectiveness of culturally-sensitive case management, unmet needs of clients, and the importance of traditional healing and spirituality as
integral to the program's mission and activities. Focus groups were conducted of HIV infected American Indians and Native Hawaiians, as well as local and regional service providers. A
content analysis of the data was conducted using Ethnograph.
Results: American Indians and Native Hawaiians in HIV-case management identified many
complex issues related to their well-being.These included having limited access to public
benefit programs, drug reimbursement programs, and especially having very limited access
to HIV-medical care as provided by the PHS Indian Health Service. Most importantly however, clients and service providers believed that Indian and Native traditions were essential
as a foundation for effective case management services.
Conclusions:This study demonstrated that culturally-sensitive case management, that included traditional approaches in services, increased access to both traditional and western medical care. Additionally these services helped to raise the positive self-esteem of clients.
Overall, the case management programs in this study improved the quality-of life for their
HIV-infected clients.
David D. Barney NNAAPC, 5350 S. Western Ave., #500, Oklahoma City, O K 73109 U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]
Mo.D. 1919
KNOWLEDGE,ATTITUDES, PERCEPTIONS AND BEHAVIOR ABOUT HIV/AIDS IN
THE LAO PDR.
Choychiang S.Tern,*- Dr: Ketkeo Sudachan* CARE International in Laos,Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Issue: Laos is small landlocked and poor country with a dispersed population which
includes 68 ethnic minorities, each speaking its own languages--a situation which challenges
any program to disseminate knowledge about HIV/AIDS.
Project: CARE/Laos selected three communities along the border with Thailand--one in the
South, one in the North, and one in the center of the country. In each community
CARE/Laos conducted Focus Group Discussion about HIV/AIDS research, to ascertain
knowledge, attitudes, behavior and perception concerning HIV/AIDS.The target group of
FGD in each community included business people, married and single women, military students, boat operators, truck drivers, and minority groups. During the FGD sessions were
taped, and later transcribed and evaluated.
Results: The qualitative data collected from FGDs revealed that HIV/AIDS awareness is fairwith "non-professonas" wor ural girs.otheGat atwheIVADa rn
Lessons Learned: The lesson leanned frees she FGD mas that while HIV/AIDS awareness is
fairly high in Laos, good knowledge is not. For- exansple, some people said that AIDS is not a
problem in Laos. It is a problem for the neighboring countries, especially Thailand. Many
failed to see a link between STDs and HIV/AIDIS. STDs aie not dangerous, because they
can be cured easily. Misconceptions such as these place people at great risk of HIV/AIDS,
because they lead to risky behavior: HIV/AIDS educartion progiams are still few and ineffective in the country
S.Tern Choychiang, 139/17 Tong 3bum rord, Chanthabouly Vientiane, Laos
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Mo.D. 1920
CARNIVALAIDS PREVENTIONAND THE MEDIA:AN EXPERIENCE IN SALVADOR,

BAHIA
Henriques, Harley GAPA-BA (Support Group for AIDS Prevention in Bahia), Salvador:
Bahia, Brazil
Issue: During Carnival, the most popular street festival in Bahia, high-risk situations for AIDS
infection are increased.,an
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