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

Tu.C.2637 - Tu.C.2642

Tuesday July 9, 1996

Results: Truckers were mostly in the age group of I 8-35 years majority had been in this
profession for 10-20 years with 53.6% being mamed and having 1-3 children. About 2 1.2%
were illiterate and 47.2% were addicted to alcohol, cigerette and betel leaf About 7% were
also addicted to opium. Sex worker visit was found in about 72%. At least 45.8% visited
home once in or more than a year and 34.8% stayed home for more than a month.Their
incomes ranged from as low as Rs 200/- to as high as 20,000/- in a month. A half of the
salary was saved by them or sent to the family while the other half was spent by them on
their personal exploits.
Conclusion: Majority of the truckers stay away from their homes for a greater part of a
year which can be the cause of sex worker visits. Alcoholism and loose money or extra
income can also be the cause of indulgence in multipartner sex increases risk of STD/HIV
transmission.
Mr Amirul Islam, 63, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Calcutta-16 West Bengal, India PH: 245 -2705/2706 Fax:[phone] I
Tu.C.2637
4-YEAR(1992-1995) SERIAL PREVALENCE STUDY ON HIV, HEPATITIS B AND C
VIRUSES AND SYPHILIS INFECTIONS IN JAPANESE FEMALE SEX WORKERS
Masahiro Kihara,* Imai M,*2 Ichikawa S,*3 Kondoh M,*2 HayashiT,*2 Kimura H,*4 Kihara
M,* Ohya H.*3 *Kanagawa Cancer Center Res. Inst., *2Kanagawa Prefectural Pub. Health
Lab, *3Kanagawa Prefectural College for Nursing and Med Tech, *4Yokohama City Univ.,
Yokohama, * Japanese Foundation for AIDS Prevention,Tokyo.
Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses and syphilis infections in Japanese female commercial sex workers(CSW).
Methods: With the collaboration of a sex worker's association in Tokyo vicinity blood samples were collected from soapland" (special bath-house) workers every 3 months since
1992, resulting in 2,364(n=584) person-tests as of the end of 1995. Blood samples were
tested for anti-HIV, anti-HCV, HBV antigen and TPHA. Parenteral needle insertions such as
acupuncture, tatoo and injecting drug use and condom use were also surveyed by questionnaire.
Results: None were found anti-HIV positive. Anti-HCV remained constant between 10- I 1%
and only I-3 cases were found to be HBV antigen positive every year.TPHA positive rates
decreased over the same period; I 5.9% in I 992 and 5.9% in I 995. Complete condom use
was reported by 90% of CSWs and frequent use by the rest. Only a few IDU cases were
identified.
Conclusions: Soapland CSWs remained uninfected with HIV during the last 4 years, probably due to the low incidence of HIV infection in the Japanese general population as well as
due to their rare exposure to risky behaviors.They, however, appear vulnerable to future
HIV invasion since HCV which is rarely transmitted sexually is highly prevalent among them.
Masahiro Kihara, Kanagawa Cancer Center Res. Inst. 54-2, Nakao-cho, Asahi-ku,Yokohama
24 I, Japan.Tel: 8I -45-39I -576 I; Fax: [phone].
Tu.C.2638
IDENTIFYING THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN THE SEX INDUSTRY:AN APPROACH
TOWARDS ADVOCACY
Castro, loan Regina L.,Md, Fleras, JB. ReachOut AIDS Education Foundation
Issue: Women involved in the sex industry become more vulnerable to HIV infection and
STDS because they have poor access to health services, poor bargaining power, low educational background, and limited opportunities.
Project: A series of group discussions were conducted with establishment-based and freelance sex workers to determine what they perceive as their rights as sex workers. Second,
further discussions were held to determine strategies in disseminating this information.
Lastly, education and counseling activities, clinic support program and empowerment trainings for the women were programmed to strengthen the impact of knowing their rights.
Results: Posters containing the following 12 Rights of Female Sex Workers were printed
and distributed: the right to be respected and regarded like any other woman; the right to
work in an environment that provides opportunities; the right to have a family and to live
peacefully; the right to protection from diseases particularly STDs; the right to insist on the
use of condoms and other contraceptives; the right to bargain for the appropriate amount
commensurate to the services they provide; the right to proper information on sexual
health; the right to have access to social support services; the right to organize and express
one's opinion; the right to refuse and choose clients; the right to confidentiality of health
and work status; and, the right to choose a place to work.
Lessons learned: Women in the sex industry also need to realize that they also have rights
as human beings and as citizens.This realization helps in boosting their self-worth and selfconfidence.Women empowerment should begin with the identification of rights.
Joan Regina Castro, MD, ReachOut AIDS Education Foundation 2/F Villa Apt. Bldg., 78-80
Jupiter cor. Polaris Sts., Bel-Air Makati City, Philippines Telefax: (632) 895 1 369
Tu.C.2639
INTEGRATING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN AIDS PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR
FEMALE SEX WORKERS AND THEIR SEX PARTNERS
Fleras, Jomar, Castro, J. ReachOut AIDS Education Foundation, Manila, Philippines.
Issue: AIDS prevention programs targeting female sex workers should be able to respond
adequately to the other Reproductive Health concerns of the targeted clients.These programs should also run parallel to programs for both commercial and non-commercial sex
partners of female sex workers.
Project: A UNFPA-funded Reproductive Health Clinic targeting female sex workers and
their sex partners was set up in one of the red-light districts of Manila.The clinic provides
not only HIV/AIDS prevention counseling but also Reproductive Health counseling and services to female sex workers and their sex partners.These other services include HIV antibody testing, STD and RTI treatment, family planning counseling and services, prevention of
abortion and the management of abortion-related complications, sexuality education and
fertility management. Clinic patients were sourced from the AIDS Helpline and from various
other HIV/AIDS outreach programs implemented by ReachOut.
Results: Outreach programs received greater acceptance from clients as they saw that
ReachOut provided them not just education but also other health services which were not
readily available, accessible or affordable. STDs and Family Planning also provided convenient

entry points for the introduction of HIV/AIDS.

Lessons Learned: To ensure greater acceptance and behavioral change, programs targeting
vulnerable populations should have a holistic approach by integrating HIV programs with
their other health concerns.
Jomar Fleras. ReachOut AIDS Education Foundation. 2F Villa Bldg. 78-80 Polaris St. Bel-Air 2
Makati, Philippines I 209 Tel. [phone] Fax. [phone]
Tu.C.2640
ASSESSING THE NEEDS OF DOCKWORKERS FOR AN ACCESSIBLE AIDS/STD
EDUCATION PROGRAM
Tolibas, M, Paraiso, G, Resurreccion, P Castro, J, Fleras, J. ReachOut AIDS Education
Foundation, Manila, Philippines
Objective: To conduct a survey on STD risk related sexual behaviors of dockworkers in the
North Harbor that will guide the development of HIV/STD prevention intervention programs.
Method: Simple observation using a guide that was developed based on recent studies was
conducted to look into the entertainment activities of dockworkers that may put them at
risk for HIV infection and STDs. Contents were analyzed and results were used to validate
earlier findings.
Results: A number of pub houses employing female receptionists line the main road
fronting the piers in the harbor. Observation of daily activities of dockworkers indicate that
risky activities such as visits to pub houses and sexual intercourse with female sex workers
prevail.A routine of alcohol drinking and casual sex with sex workers have been noted.The
men find condoms unacceptable, saying that it interferes with the sexual activity and lessens
their enjoyment of sex.
Conclusion: Dockworkers are a core group of men who patronize sex workers.These men
are vulnerable to infections with STDs because they have poor access to correct information. Interventions should focus on interpersonal interactions about safer sex activities and
should be directed to dockworkers who do not have the means of accessing themselves to
correct information and education about HIV/AIDS/STDs and sexual health.
MP Tolibas, 2/F Villa Apt. Bldg., 78-80 Jupiter cor. Polaris Streets Bel-Air, Makati City
Philippines;Telefax: [phone]
Tu.C.264 I
AIDS PREVENTION PROGRAM TARGETING TRAVELLERS TO OVERSEA
DESTINATIONS: CHECK-IN HEALTH AT ZURICH AIRPORT
Schlegel, Flavia*, Staub R.*, Gyurech D.**, Heusser R.**, Somaini B.**. *Health Department,
Canton of Zurich, Switzerland; **Institute for Social- and Preventive Medicine, University of
Zurich.
Issue: Prevalence among heterosexuals is increasing.Travellers on holidays not following
safer-sex-rules are at risk for HIV. Do travellers make use of the opportuntiy to get information on HIV/AIDS and safer-sex-rules directly at the airport and does a program providing this information disturb in any way the proceedings at the airport?
Project: An AIDS-prevention program financed by the Health Department, Canton of
Zurich, for travellers abroad to enhance the safer-sex-rules was set up at the boarding gates
at the international airport Zurich. A contest with questions on AIDS and other travel related health risks was hande d out to travellers.The answers were personally discussed by
trained staff members at a centrally located information booth. Besides personal counselling
on any questions regarding AIDS and travelling, brochures on AIDS, on travel and health
risks, on local AIDS-information centers were available. Condoms and chocolate were given
out as small prizes directly to everybody.
Results: The program was very well accepted by travellers. 80% (1300) of the contestsheets handed out were brought back to the information booth. There were no open negative reactions to the subject and intervention. The contest served its purpose to create an
easy way to get in contact with travellers.The main subjects discussed at the booth were
prevalence of HIV among heterosexuals, prevalence at the respective destinations, general
health risks while travelling.This program did not disturb the complex proceedings at the
airport.The airlines cooperating with the progran ih e m were convinced of the necessity for
information for travellers on AIDS and safer-sex.They did not receive any negative reactions
either.The program was well represented in the media and therefore the prevention messages were spread widely.
Lessons learned: AIDS information at the airport is very well accepted by travellers and
also by the organisations responsible for the proceedings at the airport.The opportunity for
personal counselling on HIV/AIDS and other health risks is well taken by travellers.
Flavia Schlegel, Delegierte for Aidsfragen, Nordstr. 23, 8090 Zrich, Switzerland Telephone:
01/259 21 92 Fax: [phone]
Tu.C.2642
CHANGES IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF SEX WORK SETTINGS OVERTIME IN
BANGKOK,THAILAND.
Sittitrai, Werasit*, Brown T**, Sirimahachaiyakul W, Jittangkul D, Phadungphon C*, Carl
G*, Komats o R**. *Program on AIDS, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, Thailand; **East
West Center, Honolulu USA.
Objective: Commercial sex in Bangkok can be broadly divided into S categories: I) brothel
based sites 2) massage parlours 3) disguised sites offering additional services, e.g restaui
rants and cafes 4) bar type sites and S) free lanceThis study developed a metnodology for
mapping these sites and examined the changes in number and distribution of stes in each
category from 1991 to 1994.
Methods:To prepare a sample frame for a large scale survey of sex workers in Bangkok,
Thailand, two rounds of mapping of commercial sex work sites were undertaken in 199 I
and 1994. An exhaustive search strategy was used in which field teams systematically
explored each part of the city to locate sex work sites. Key informants including local residents, business people, taxi drivers, tourists, and clients at the sites were queried to locate
other less obvious establishments.
Results: A total of 1420 in 1991I and 1496 sites in I1994 were identified as involved in commercial sex. In 199 I, 92% of the sites were located in one half of the total districts (I 8 of
36 districts). By 1994, this percentage had dropped to 8 1% and sex sites in I1994 were confirmed in several districts where no sites had existed in I199 I.The number of hi-othel tyoe
sites (brothel, tea house, and hotels) declined S8.5% over 3 years, while massage parlours

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