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

Track D: Social Science: Research, Policy & Action
languages for Asians living with HIV and their partners, caregivers, Family d iiiemis.This initiative was an opportunity to facilitate community dialogue about HIV and AIDS amongst
Asians across Canada.
Lessons Learned: It was an opportunity for community skills- building within the east and
southeast Asian communities where financial resources and professional experience were
limited. Also an opportunity to bridge partnerships both among the Asian communities and
other AIDS Service Organizations.We learned about the diversity wihin each of the three
Asian communities and that "culture" includes class, education, geo7raphy and gender
among other categories.The grassroots participation of members (paid and unpaid) firom
the east and southeast Asian communities proved invaluable to developinrg a culltrally
appropriate document.The next stage is to promote and implement this available resource.
Eva Sin, 33 Isabella Street, Suite I07,Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2P7 Cainada, cl: I 116-963 -4300 Fax: [phone]
Tu.D.285 I
ART THERAPY SUPPORT GROUPS CONCEIVED IN AN INTEGRATIVE WAY:A
GLOBAL APPROACH FOR REINFORCING SELF-ESTEEM OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH
HIV/AIDS
Lelievre Daniel. Maison Plein Coeur, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Issue: Traditional discussing support groups give the opportunity to people living with
HIV/AIDS to share between themselves and feel morne comfortable with their conadition,
especially a recent one, but do not give access to others fon sharirg different kinds of situations in the ame activity
Project: An art-therapy workshop program has been created, targetinag sore than only
HIV/AIDS people.The activity was known as fee, confidential, open to HIV/AIDS people
and others, and finally, given to small groups of not morne than 0 pCrsons. ie autumn session worked on "Reinforcement of the self -esteem", the winter session b came the "Coping
with different aspects of our inner life". Different kinds of exercises have been used, including visualization, drawing, collage, clay camera pictures and video sessions, masrks and so on,
essentially playing with the self image and body scshema at autumn session, while exploring
characters and theater exe rcises for winter session. Exhibits and evaluations hav re been
made by participants after each session.
Results: For 2 years, we offered 4 sessions with a mean of 8 persons each tirre.I-he results
of the evaluations show that the autumn session is corr esponding to the needs of everybody.The winter session attracted more people living with HIV/AIDS an d the evaluation
shows that it is possible to consider one person in a large and multiple point of view. It
helped everyone to accept themselves and understand each other:
Lessons learned: Integr ative activities are giving the chance to kssnow they have a i strength to
share with others of the community.They can feel acceptance, experiencing unity and compassion through the healing force of creatrty
Daniel LelievRe, 1 611, rue Dorion, Montreal, (QuFbec), H2K 4A5 I-I: [phone]I
Tu.D.2852
CREATING MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE DEAF COMMUNITY
Galiffet Francoise*, Blanchard Joelle5, Dagron Jean, Garger Claire"', Huillaumarc'h
Cecile*. Hopital PitifSalpetriere Paris '-5ean research financed by ANRS (Agence
nationale contre le Sida)
Objective: To allow HIV/AIDS deaf patients access to adapted healt i care e: communication
in sign language (LSF) and awareness of a specific cultural appro ach.
Methods: Two projects have been set up r ecently:
A few health practitioners rusing LSF and a deafgroup of AIDES crealed a medical service
for deaf in a large Paris hospital, which offers consultation in their language, access aby minitel (French TDD), support by deaf volunteers of AIDES and initiation to I SI tor the staff;
A research made by a team of both hearing and deaf people finiced by At IRS c oncerning
the epidemic in the deaf population and their access of health care,,'33 questionnaires
were send to I, 104 medical sites.
Results: In the hospital, activity has been increasing regularly mixing HIVAIDS and others
deaf patients, and thereby preserving confidentiality, which is an even more important issue
in such a small community.The patients shared their relief to finally be able hrsl ave direct
one to one communication.
-The epidemic seems to have the sarre profile in this community (i, development and in
risk groups) but the access to information and health care is very limited, often inappropriate and disrespectful. Ignorance and confiontation to cormun ticaton problems tend to
brake the laws of confidentiality.
Lessons learned: We need to have both deaf and hearing professionals in order to offer a
significant service to this community. In France a great effort has to e lon torsupport
deaf professional integration.
Basic professional rules tend to disappear arnd frreakdowrn whers ve Iace ccorrnrrnrcatron
pr'oblenrs, and our challenge is to be reaidy arid shle to chiange cii ril a rlss',chs.
F.Galiffet 13 Rue De LsTurlerre 92150 Suresrres Ferace.Tel.: 53 I.',,IF', 8i fax: it I
42040592 Email: 721I67. 1I 12o 6 onmpuser ve.Crrr
Tu.D.2854
HIV/AIDS INFORMATION TO IMMIGRANTS IN SWEDEN HAS IT BEEN
UNDERSTOOD AND DOES IT COVER THE NEEDS?
Acker hans, Margar'eta5,Ws.esphsal Victor, B. '. 5fDelrtrmernt of PublIc Heailth, Go tlienbuig
Sweden.* Univer sity of Aarhus, fDernnark
Objective: To define the views of keyper sons shout thre effectiver in i r lhr ltit I IV/AIDSinfor matron has reached inanig rnt gromps ira Sweden trid to wfhich extentr rirrriyrant organizatrons are involved in pieventree heralth work like HIS//sds info astir. lc' ir~kgest information strategies to imnaigrant groups
Methods: A questiorraire was serat ts 75 key per sorns respoissible ro c.en tor uactrvitres
aimred at inamigirants irs Swecler.The qcuestioonnaire corspised hf0 i mene I,:I d l~ins.-FThe
answers have been snalysed uring quatatrve and cqualitative r ese a Ih neilPs.

Results: None of the respondents feel that the immigrant groups have understood the
HIV/AIDS information aimed at the genral public and 65% feel that ini)r olioni given does
not cover the needs. he most frequently stated view is that the majority of immigrants are
unable to use this information as a result of identification problem.Ihei e appears to be a

Tu.D.285 I - Tu.D.2858
lack of cultural knowledge among several of the informers and there are difficulties when it
comes to involving immigrant themselves in preventive work as well as limited collaboration
between health authorities and immigrant organizations.
Conclusions: HIV/AIDS-information to immigrants should be planned with a needs assessmenrit as a starting point.The culture concept should be a central concept and extended
collaboration between authorities and immigrant organizations are essential as is evaluation
of all activities.
M. Ackerhans, Department of Public Health, Goteborg, Sweden. Po. Box I I 475, 404 30
Gotleborg, Sweden Tel: +46-31-6 I 26 63, Fax [phone]
Tu.D.2856
KNOWLEDGE,ATTITUDES, BELIEFS,AND PRACTICES BASELINE SURVEY OF
TRADITIONAL HEALERS ABOUT AIDS PREVENTION AND TREATMENT IN
SOROTI DISTRICT, RURAL UGANDA
Nkanga bwa Jares(, Kwamya L, Ssali At, Homrsy J, NShakira Nt, King R. THETAt; MSFCHt' Kampala, Uganda.
Objective: To describe knowledge attitudes, beliefs and practices of traditional healers (TH)
in Soroti concerning AIDS prevention and treatment.
Methods: Healers were identified through local community leaders, stratified random samping was carried out and 62 healers were selected (29 males and 33 females) for interviews in AItDS/STDs. Healers were visited and questionnaires administered included knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs concerning AIDS.
Results: hten asked about methods of diagnosis used, 45%TH mentioned spiritual examination using cowries or palm reading 53% mentioned physical observation and touch while
2% used water in a basin. On diseases treated most, healers mentioned measles 25%, spiritual illnesses 15%, poison 12% diarrhea 12%; others mentioned were; madness, STDs, gynecological, dental, and skin diseases. 92% of the healers stated that they refer patients to hospitals and 535 to other healers. When asked what AIDS is 32% called it a killer disease,
29% a chronic illness while 16% called it a virus, 13% didn't know what it meant, 5% defined
it as an STD and another 5% as a God sent disease. When asked how AIDS/HIV is transmitted, 6 I mentioned it was through sexual intercourse (or promiscuity), while 23% mentioned scarification or sharp instruments, 7% said blood contact or transfusion, 7% did not
know and 2% said through casual contact. 66% admitted discussing about AIDS with
patients while 49% discuss sexual practices with patients. 50% believed AIDS couldn't be
prevented, 36% felt it could while 15% didn't know.When asked about condoms, 53% didn't know what a condom looked like and of these 59% had never heard of a condom. 64%
said condoms can protect from AIDS. Only 4 (7%) admitted having used a condom yet 39
(50%) healers said they would propose condoms to clients if they had them. 47 (76%)
healers felt they were at risk of getting AIDS while 9 (I 5%) were not and 6 (10%) didn't
know. 20 (32%) healers provide treatment that involve direct contact with blood and 23
(37%) give injections [ only 5% of these claim to have been trained in aspects of western
medicine ]. Of the 54 healers who gave comments, 16 (30%) were willing to collaborate
with Western Doctors mainly in community education and research on traditional herbs.
Conclusion:1 H in Soroti have only general knowledge about HIV/AIDS and little effort is
miade to r educe tr ansmrission. From the findings, ifTHs are to protect themselves and to be
effective Heaslth care providers they must be educated more about HIV/AIDS and the
eimplication of their practices.
Nkangabwa JamesTHETA Organization, PO.Box 21175 Kampala, Uganda
Tel:[phone] fax:[phone] email:[email protected]
Tu.D.2857
TREATMENT-SEEKING FOR "PRIVATE" DISEASE: SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF TB AND
STD MANAGEMENT IN INDIA AND UGANDA
Oden, lessica A. ODA Tuberculosis Programme, London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine
Issues: STL andr ItB, tend to be treated outside the public health sector because of their
"private" nature.This may have serious implications for the transmission and impact of
THIV/AIDS both where te H pandemic is established, and where its force has yet to be fully
realised.
Project: Thise paper compares the data of two separate projects, both funded by the UK
Overseas Developmsent Administration.The first project on which the paper draws identified a wide rage of treatment options available to residents in Kampala, noted the importance of self treatment and the use of the private and informal health sectors for treating
sexual infection, particularlyby women.The second, conducted under the aegis of the ODA
Tuberculosis Pro gramme (LSHTM), focuses on tuberculosis management in India under the
Revised National Tuberculosis Programme.
Results: Sexual infections and tuberculosis are endemic in those countries strongly iffected
by AI[S, as well as those not yet so badly hit., Wherever they occur, howeve, both condiiounsi esplucated in DIV infection and transernssron.Yet both conditions continue to be
difficult to tueait mrs thse public sector: Part of this difficulty stems from the fact that these are
"private' diseases: they car ry social stugmaThe existence of the stigma, the reasons behind
mm, arad its effect ama treatment seeking have important implications forTB and STD preventuan and management, and may seriously inmpede efforts to control the spread and impact
of AIDS.
Lessons learned: In recognising the importance of non-public treatment for "private" disease, the value of integrating health sectors becomes evident, National STD and TB control
programmes need to take seriously social realities and community priorities, and embrace
these in their design.
J.A.Ogden, Health Policy Unit, London School of Hygiene &Tropical Medicine,
Keppel St. 1ondon WCI E 7HT UK.Tel.: [phone]; fax: 44 17 I 637 539 I; email:
j.ogde co Ishtuuar.uk
Tu.D.2858
SUPPORT FOR POSITIVE GAY MEN IN COMMERCIAL GAY VENUES IN LONDON
Vs/ard Paul, Gough, Dominic. Positive Nation, HIV/AIDS Community Newspaper; London,

UK.
Issue: Conmerscial gay venues in London are used by positive gay men, yet do little, on the
whole, to recognise and meet the specific needs which symptomatic positive men have.
Project: An analysis was undertaken of the specific needs which symptomatic positive men

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