Bridging the Gap: Conference Record [Abstract book, International Conference on AIDS (12th: 1998: Geneva, Switzerland)]

12th World AIDS Conference

Abstracts 44278-44282 991

AIDS Information and Support Center offered information about and means of
safe sex, free medical consulting, conducted research and treatment of STDs,
provided psycho-social assistance (drop-in center, psycho-therapeutical and legal
counseling). With Finnish assistance, a safe sex guide for sex workers has been
printed. During 1997, 142 sex workers were helped and counseled by the Center.
The project was evaluated by anonymous questionnaire. We studied social
changes and other ecological impacts. As a result, from 1994-1997, the number
of adolescents has decreased from 50% to 22.5%, safe sex practices improved -
70% always use condoms, 29% use condoms sometimes. Unfortunately the use
of alcohol and drug has increased. 34% of the sex workers have experienced
sexual abuse and/or incest in their childhood and 48% have experienced sexual
abuse at work.
(a) External social changes influence the age, national and migration structure
of the sex workers.
(b) Consistent counseling and educational work has been very successful.
(c) International cooperation helps to analyze, influence and manipulate the
process of sex work.
44278 Empowering stories of women and HIV: The National
Community Advisory Board of the Women's Interagency
HIV study
Carol Siporen1, M. Santiago2, J. Smith3, M. Deely4, K. Kelsey4, P. Ellis2. WIHS
Community Advisory Board, 420 Central Avenue #315 Alameda, CA 94501;
2 WIHS Community Advisory Board, Chicago, IL; 3 WIHS Community Advisory
Board, Brooklyn, NY; 4 WIHS Community Advisory Board, Washington, DC, USA
Issue: Many women living with HIV are thirsting for knowledge and solidarity in
a world that can feel isolating and male-centered.
Project: The Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) is a multicenter, longitudinal study of over 2,600 women designed to investigate the progression of
HIV disease in women. An integral part of the WIHS study design is to bring
participants into the research team through Community Advisory Boards (CABs)
which operate on a local and national level. The National Community Advisory
Board (NCAB), made up of representatives who volunteer their time, provides
input into developing the WIHS and serves as the study's link to the HIV+/community at large. NCAB representatives are active in all levels of the study
including participation on working group conference calls and the Executive Committee meetings. In addition, the NCAB has its own monthly calls and semi-annual
meetings during which time representatives discuss the study protocols as well
as other personal experiences and issues related to living with HIV/AIDS.
Results: In addition to achieving its stated goals, the WIHS NCAB has served
as an engine of growth, change and healing for the women who have participated
on it. Stories of NCAB representatives illustrate the ways in which participation on
the NCAB has transformed and enhanced their lives. Through the NCAB, some
of these women have learned to advocate for themselves and others; some have
been able to overcome lives of anonymity, isolation and addiction; others have
been able to defeat feelings of fear, hopelessness and powerlessness.
Lessons Learned: CABs can play an important role in empowering individuals
and ensuring that a study remains responsive to the needs of its target population. By building knowledge and solidarity, the WIHS NCAB has helped women
develop into advocates for themselves and for other women infected with, and
affected by, HIV.
44279 An agenda for a more effective response to the needs of
AIDS infected/affected children and families
Bruce Waring. 4376 Wilson, Montreal, QC, Canada
Issue: The response to AIDS infected/affected children's issues at the international, national and local level has, to-date, been inconsistent and inadequate.
Organizations and individuals concerned about AIDS infected/affected children
and family issues have a key role to play in helping to address the needs of
their constituency, but, must be more strategic and work in a more collaborative
manner than has been the case to-date.
Project: This project is an analysis of the key actions that must be undertaken by organizations and individuals, concerned and/or working in the area of
HIV/AIDS, children and families, to raise the profile of issues pertaining to their
constituency amongst decision makers at all levels, be they: decision makers
within their own organizations, AIDS networks, politicians, policy makers, local,
regional or national governments, or multilateral organizations such as UNAIDS,
UNICEF and the World Bank.
Results: Key actions that organizations and individuals concerned about AIDS
infected/affected children's issues should take to ensure more effective action on
this issue include: i) documenting the impact of HIV/AIDS, the response to-date,
and the capacity to address the needs of infected/affected children and families
at the country (and eventually a community) level; ii) analyzing the data from the
above mentioned exercise to develop a country level strategy and action plan; iii)
empowering children to participate in the development and implementation of the
strategies; iv) collaborating with child-focussed organizations and/or movements

which are not HIV/AIDS specific; and v) using the Convention on the Rights of
the Child more effectively as an advocacy tool.
Lessons Learned: Major challenge will be to: i) ensure that children themselves participate in a manner that is appropriate, ethical, and culturally sensitive;
ii) build and maintain a mutually-beneficial, collaborative relationship between
organizations currently working in the area of AIDS infected/affected children and
child-focussed agencies/movements which do not have HIV/AIDS as a major

focus (i.e., child rights, child sexual exploitation, and child labour); and iii) find
the resources necessary to ensure effective and sustainable collaboration on this
issue.
S44280 I Improve access to treatment and prevention by means of
community actions
Renate Koch1. A V Romulo Gallegos Edificio Maracay A PTO.21 El Marques
1071 Caracas, Venezuela
Issue: On the basis of insufficient and erroneous data provided by our government, and lack of interest and adequate infrastructure in the country, international
agencies and funders have not included Venezuela in the list of priority countries
for HIV prevention and Access to Treatment.
Project: Considering the high incidence in all societal structures, we have to
strengthen our capacity to advocate for full completement of governmental responsabilities with respect to Public Health issues. This advocacy includes: community
mobilization, promotion of networking, self-support-groups and ASO's, capacity
building on Human Rights and medical aspects, which motivate a larger range
of society to activily participate on lobbying which aims to obtain behavioural
changes in governmental and private politics.
Results: A strategic action plan has been developed and executed. AIDS has
been included in the draft of law to establish a fund for special illnesses; and in
the governmental Human Rights' Agenda. The private sector has been motivated
to establish a fund that provides drugs and medicine to about 30 PWA during one
year. The Social Security Systems recognizes AIDS as a Public Health issue,
and covers adequate treatment for all PWA affiliated. The Activists-Network has
been extended from 5 to 12 federal entities; and the Human Rights Network to
20; and members have been capacitated on HR issues and activism strategies.
The Ministry of Health has improved its services, and covers cost for AIDS related
drugs. Government has recognized AIDS as a Public Health problem.
Lessons Learned: NGOs alone cannot cope with the complexity of AIDS
prevention and treatment. Government has to be convinced to understand the
social and economic impact and the benefits of early treatment.
44281 1Canada's blood tragedy, a community response: HIV-T
Group (Blood Transfused)
Donalo Taylor. 257A Eglinton Ave West, Toronto Ontario, Canada
Issue: A chronology of the public health calamity that had occurred in Canada
during the late 1970's and 1980's and the community's response to this in the
1990's, specifically the activism and advocacy of the members of the HIV-T Group
(Blood Transfused).
Project: The chronology dates back to 1981 including important milestones up
until the "Commission of Inquiry of the Blood System in Canada's Final Report
by the Honourable Mr. Justice Horace Krever on November 26, 1997". This
visual chronology includes videos tapes and newspaper clippings starting back
in 1990 when a group of individuals who began organizing and locating others
who had also received HIV-infected blood transfusions learned that hundreds
of other people were still unaware that they may have been infected. Members
were instrumental in the creation of the extraordinary assistance plan and went
to the nation's capital to testify before the House of Commons urging the federal
government to hold a public inquiry into Canada's blood supply. Members encouraged the testing of potentially contaminated blood samples and created an
organization in 1994 to provide ongoing peer support and information, the only
such organization of its kind in Canada. With the "Commission of Inquiry of the
Blood System in Canada's Final Report by the Honourable Mr. Justice Horace
Krever released on November 26, 1997", members continue to advocate for a
safer blood system and resolve to participate actively in the achievement of just
compensation for all blood injured Canadians including those directly infected,
those secondarily transmitted and those directly affected.
Results: The results have been clearly seen with the extraordinary assistance
plan, the creation of a new blood system with an active consumer representation
component and the recent release of the Final Report as noted above.
Lessons Learned: Community-based advocacy and activism involving the
stake holders or the "consumer", is a just response to ensure public safety and
government accountability. The lesson is an ongoing one which will continue
to involve issues of change, accountability and just compensation for all blood
injured Canadians.
S44282 The international response to HIV/AIDS: An Australian
perspective
Deborah Boswell. 1/442-446 Edgecliff Rd Edgecliff 2027 Sydney NSW, Australia
Issues: What does Australia have to offer the International Response to HIV/AIDS
and how can the quality of our response be improved?
Project: A self analysis of the Non Government sector was conducted by the
HIV/AIDS International Development Network of Australia to document issues

and challenges drawn from the sector in responding to HIV/AIDS. The review
utilised a consultative approach in which a questionnaire was sent to 29 individuals and NGOs working overseas. A total of 18 responses were received and
summarised. Additional interviews and focus groups were held with 44 individuals
from 24 organisations across Australia. A draft discussion paper was developed
and shared with the sector. Open forums were held across the three cities upon
which the document was revised and a final form developed.