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

Tu.D.360 - Tu.D.364

Tuesday, July 9, 1996

Results: During interviews, some women were reticent to tackle a sexuality sublect.Arnong
those who answered a) About 90% considered that they couldn't give any injunction to
ther husbands or partners because a woman must be at mans duty and must take care
first to satisfy hirm. b) About 10% considered that they could require fro he;ir husbands or
partners the wearing of sheaths to avoid contamination because they have right to the
health and irght to the life as every human. After education and sensibilization campaign.
numnerous women were conscious of the retrograde customs and traditions danger and the
need of recognizing their rights by rmen. Almost 1500 condoms were accepted by women.
Lessons learned: Intense women education and sensibilization campaigns for the promotion of their rights may help themr change their attitude towards sexuality This will create
sorne consideration for women in taking decisions about sexual relationships, consequently
the HIV risks will be reduced
Nd la Musuamrba, Undp Zaire. B.P 7248 Kinshasa,Tel: [phone] Fax: 8741I503261 /
8711503261.
Tu.D.360
GAY MEN AT HIGHEST RISK ARE BEST REACHED THROUGH OUTREACH IN BARS
AND COMMUNITY EVENTS
Hof, Colleen C, Kegeles, S., Acroe, M., Stall, R., Paul, J., Ekstrand. M., Coates, TJ. Center for
AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, USA
Objective: To determine which programs within a community level AIDS prevention intervention reached what types of gay men.
Methods: An 18 - month community-level HIV/AIDS prevention intervention was conducted
in Portland, Oregorn offering a variety of prevention activities, each ranging in intensityThe
intervention included: Outreach (at bars and commrunity events), a Home meeting (small
gatherings to discuss HIV and community issues), a Safer Sex Workshop, and HIV
Counseling and Testing (drop-in testing for gay men only).The intervention was evaluated
by annual surveys of a cohort of gay men recruited in 1992.We used two sampling
methodologies, (I) a randomized time period technique to recruit gay male bar patrons. (2)
a list-frame telephone sample of households. Responses to the survey measuring I 2
months of the intervention were collected (N= 100 1). Chi square analyses were used to
describe differernces in participatiorn based on age, sexual risk and HIV status.
Results: More mren participated in Outreach prevention efforts than the other approaches
offered. Outreach was also more likely to reach younger nien and those likely to report
unprotected anal intercourse with a non monogamous partner Few men, regardless of age,
HIV status or sexual behavior were likely to attend a safer sex workshop.

c<9
(,-! )81
56%' *
I 7% *

Ycc s llBetav
U/AI No
(= 42) (n
"4a 401
I41% I2i

Outra ( h
Horw Mtg,
Worksliop
Test ng

or IV Status
UPA tHIV+ HIV
(na-i 18)) (s=k/3)
39%* 44%
> 19%1* I %
6% 3%
4%* 8%

H tlV!
Ir: II%)
33%
4Si

Total
101
41%
12%
4%
6%

whether factor relate, to engaging in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) vary according
to one's per ce el IlHIV tatus.
Methods:Tfhe San FrancroYoung Men's Health Study is a survey of single mnen age 18 29
recruited by raultistr ';.r bability sampling from the 2 I census tracks in San Francisco with
the highest curmuative Ai'S prevalence in 1992.408 gay and bise>a men were interviewed.
Blood samples were aisc obtained from 364 (89%) of the men ar, tested for HIV antibodies
Results: 84% (r -=342) of the men reported knowing their HIV st.tus. 70% (n=285) per
ceived themselves to be HIV-. 14% (n=57) perceived themselves as HIV+ and 16% (nr 66)
reported not knowing their status. 37% of the total sample reported engaging in UAI during the past year. but this varied with ones perceived HIV status:56% of the men who perceived themselves to be HIV+ reported engaging in UAI, compared to 35% of three men
who perceived themselves to be HIV and 28% of the men who did nriot know their status.
4% (n= I I) of the men who perceived themselves to be HIV- and 9% (n-S) of the untested men were in fact HIV+. 50% (n-8) of these men who did not know they were HIV+
reported engaging in UAI. Bivariate logistic regressions indicated that significant predicto s of
UAl for both HIV+ and HIV men were: being more "turned on during sex, less enjoyment
of safe sex, more substance use, and poorer sexual communication skills (ORs ranged from
2.96 to 1.25). For HIV+ men only, higher income predicted UAI (OR 1.37), while the
degree to whics fr ends encouraged him to have safe sex was inversely related to UAI
(ORv.55). For HIV- men, having a boyfriend (OR-I.97), having more gay friends
(OR= I1.36), beginning sex at an earlier age (OR=-.89) and not having sex with women
(OR-.42) predicted UAI. For untested men, (who were more likely to be bisexual [4 I%]
than HIV [16%] and HIV+ men [4%]), having sex with women predicted safe sex
(OR=. 1 I), wheeas degree of gay involvement (being less closeted, going to gay bars and
having a boyfriend [ORs=3.87 to 1.49]) was associated with UAI.
Conclusions: Many predictors of UAI are similar for HIV-, HIV+ and untested men, but differences found do suggest the value of incorporating HIV status-specific components ir
prevention programs. Importantly, a significant number of self-perceptions are wrong.
Understanding the motivations and situational context for engaging in UAl for each status
group is essential in designing interventions for young gay men. In particular, the high rate of
UAI among HIV+ young gay men must be addressed.
Robert B. Hays 74 New Montgomery #600, SF, CA 94105 USA.Tel.: [phone]
Fax [phone] emnail:roberthays(oquickmail.ucsf.edu
Tu.D.363
THE GUATEMALAN GAY/BISEXUAL AND LESBIAN CULTURE HOUSE (GGLCC):
ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES FOSTERING SELF-ESTEEM, BEHAVIORAL CHANGES,
AND AIDS PREVENTION.
Martinez, Luis F, Mayorga R*, Lorenzana A*, Maza JM*, Leon R*, Arevalo F*. *Asociacion de
Talleres Holisticos (ATH), Guatemala City, Guatemala
Issue: Gay/bisexual men, transvestites, and lesbians do not have spaces to freely express
themselves in a deeply homophobic and lesbophobic societyThis results in socializing in
environments were alcohol,. drugs, and sex are readily at hand. A space for personal growth
free of these influences is necessary to foster empowerment of these populations, resulting
in increased self-esteem and promotion/maintenance of behavioral changes conducing to
AIDS prevention.
Project: The GGLCC consists of an innovative approach were populations discriminated on
the basis of their sexual orientation can obtain education concerning AIDS prevention,
gay/bisexual, lesbian, and transvestite issues and engage in creative activities. This was done
through art exhibits, conferences and round tables on specific issues, sports activities, and
creative workshops, and establishing documentation center with books and videocassettes
on lesbian and gay issues.
Results: Six months after opening, the GGLCC has been very effective in providing an
alternative space to populations particularly vulnerable to HIV infection.Two hundred and
thirty members of these communities have benefited from these activities. Creative work
shops two to four times a month are being given in pottery painting, sculpture. literature.
drama, engravirg, and photography. English and French classes take place twice a month
Round tables have taken place on the following topics: attention to people living with
HIV/AIDS; violations of human rights based on sexual orientation; the attitudes of the
Catholic church towards gays/bisexuals, transvestites, and lesbians: human sexuality; bisexuali
ty; setting a lesbian agenda:; isues on coming out; staying HIV -negative; legal aspects of AIDS;:
AIDS and ethics:; nutrition and AIDS: studies of gay and lesbian role models.There were also
two art exhibits, six movie forums, three sports activities (volleyball, basketball, and soccer)
and two ecological trips, one literary contest.
Lessons Learned: It is very important to provide a safe environment for gay!bisexual men,.
transvestites, and lesbians in order to encourage participation of these populations in the
activities described. Providing these populations with alternative activities in the arts, sports,
health, and the sciences, i an environment free of alcohol, sex, and drugs, and with a partic
ular emphasis on gay/bisexual, transvestite, and lesbian issues contributes to empowernment
of these persons, contributing to AIDS prevention.
L. F. Martinez, Apartado Postal 1289 Guatemala, CP 01001.Telephone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Tu.D.364
GAY MEN'S STEREOTYPES ABOUT WHO IS HIV-INFECTED: JUDGING ANTIBODY
STATUS FROM PERCEPTIBLE CUES
Gold. Ron S.. Skinner M. School of Psychology Deakin UniversityVictoria, Australia
Objective: In earlier studies, we asked gay men who had engaged in high-risk sex to reort
any self-justifications they had used at the time. Some of the self justifications reported
involved the partner s antibody status being inferred from how he looked, spoke, or
behaved.This study investigated such inferences more systematically and sought to determine whether they are also made by men who are not relating their own sexual behaviour
but simply mak ng judgments about strangers.
Methods: Sixty six gay men (mean age 27. I years) read brief verbal sketches of gay men.
Each sketch highlighted one of 6 characteristics: ohysical attractrveness, inteligence/educa
tion, healthy apoearance and lifestyle, personality, a combination of the preceding, and
wealth. (This last was hypothesised not to affect judgments of antibody status.) There were
3 versions of each sketch, describing the man in positively-valued (P), average or neutral

iUnprotected anl IIIter roui wt

5an u, partnier in past month * "p<.O." p.01. "p<.

Conclusions: Community-level interventions need to include innovative, minimally structured programs that take place in venues where gay men are known to socialize. Outreach
was most successful at reaching men who engage in risk-taking behaviors and younger men
suggesting that these groups are amenable to istervention but not structured programs
that may challenge anonymity.
C.C. Hoff, 74 New Montgomery St. Suite 600, San Francisco, CA USA
Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone] emnail:[email protected]
Tu.D.36 I1
STD/HIV PREVENTION PROGRAM IN BOMBAY'S EMERGING GAY COMMUNITY
AND AIDS OUTREACH IN THE MEN-WHO-HAVE-SEX- WITH-MEN SECTOR
Row-Kavi Ashok ', Mods Rakesh", Menon Ramesh". The HIumsafarTrust, Bombay India.
Issue: Sexually active men in the MSM sector have poor access to health services.
Project: The Hunisafar Drop In Centre in Bombay is an innovative concept which creates a
dynamic interface between the target groups and the public health services. It is the only
one of its kind in India where sexually active men, especially in MSM, come for sexual health
information.The progran involves training peer group counsellors for street outreach and
data collection, empowerment workshops, safe sex discourses/discussions and referrals to
STD/AIDS doctors, hospices.The program is being promoted through the distribution of
info cards at public sex environment.
Results: The Centre has been functioning since October'95 with a weekly attendance of
approximately 50 men. Between October and January '96, the Centre has evolved responsibilities and regulations for attendees,trained 1I0 volunteers for street outreach and for collecting sexual histories, pre- tested IEC material.The Centre has registered 340 individual
interventions,.distributed 9,000 condoms and conducted 17 workshops on subjects like
Crisis Management,Street Counselling, Recording Sexual Histories and Comparative narratives of gay sub cultures by professionals and foreigni visitors.
Lessons Learned: Motivated self-identified gay men can be educated to conduct successful
street outreach programs in MSM sectornThe Centre can be developed as a safe-space
where sexual minorities can access safer sex information.
Ashok Row Kavi, 10 Riviera CHS, 15 th.Road, Off North Avenue, Santacruz(W), Bombay
400,054.India.
Tu.D.362
SHOULD HIV PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOR YOUNG GAY MEN BE DIFFERENT
FOR HIV-, HIV+ AND UNTESTED MEN?
Hays, Robert B, Paul J, Ekstrand M, Kegeles S, Stall R, Coates T. Center for AIDS Prevention
Studies (CAPS), University of California, San Francisco, USA
Objective: I) To compare HIV risk-taking of young gay men who perceive themselves to
be HIV-, perceive themselves to be HIV+, or do not know their status; 2) To assess the
degree to which perceived HIV status matches actual HIV status; and 3) To examine

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