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

1020 Abstracts 60109-60114

12th World AIDS Conference

60109 Poll on HIV/AIDS connected matters in Latvia
Gita Gange1, M. Sauka1, A. Ferdats1, I. Upmace1, S. Rotberga2. 1AIDS
Prevention Centre Klijanu 7 Riga LV-1012; 2UNDP Theme Group Riga LV Latvia
Issue: The information about the level of population knowledge on HIV/AIDS
connected matters and ways how they have learned about it is very important for
restricting HIV/AIDS infection in the society.
Project: Population poll on HIV/AIDS matters was realised as part of UNAIDS
Theme group project. Poll was performed and data analysed was made by Latvijas Datu Nams. The poll took place from 16 October till 2 November 1997. It
covered all territory of Latvia and 1010 men and 1011 women were polled at
their homes. The method of poll was interview. Interviewer filled the questionnaire
by himself. Questionnaire had 42 question about HIV/AIDS origin, transferring,
sexual life of respondent, how they have got knowledge of it.
Results: People have learned about HIV/AIDS mainly from mass media (TV,
magazines, newspapers). About 3/4 of population are quite well informed about
AIDS, it's origin and ways of infection. However many of them do not use preventive measures during sex. People are quite suspicious about possible infection
during medical treatment (44-55%). Many people are not tolerant to HIV/AIDS
patients and want their isolation from social life.
Lessons Learned: We advise widely use mass media to spread information
about preventive measures of HIV/AIDS in order to restrict infection in Latvia.
More attention should be paid to development of human attitude to HIV infection.
600110 Encouraging a multisectoral response to HIV/AIDS in
Mongolia
Nicholas Bates1, D. Altanchimeg2. 1c/o UNDP Mongolia, PO Box 49/207,
Ulaanbaatar; 2Community Research Network, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Issue: Efforts to encourage a multisectoral response to HIV/AIDS in Mongolia depend on an increased knowledge of HIV in all areas of the community, increased
political commitment and improved delivery of primary health care in general
and HIV/AIDS/STD services specifically. Since 1990 STD infections have grown
dramatically and young people are becoming sexually active and an increasingly
younger age. Until recently HIV infection rates have remained low but there has
been an expectation that changing behaviours, including increased interaction
with neighbouring countries will result in increasing infection rates in the coming
years.
Project: The UNDP response to HIV/AIDS in Mongolia focuses on advocacy
and policy development and should be seen as one component in a comprehensive program co-sponsored by the Government of Mongolia and the UN
System.
Results: The co-ordination and implementation of the multisectoral response
is affected by the restructuring of the Mongolian economy and a reduced public
health sector. Expected outcomes of HIV/AIDS strategies have been predicted on
the assumption that all sectors will have shared goals, equal levels of commitment
and access to appropriate resources. The capacity of the UNDP project is affected
by the tensions which exist between the UN system and the host government.
Lessons Learned: National programs developed by 'foreign experts' may
need to be adapted to more fully suit local conditions. Attitudinal and behavioural
change cannot be fast tracked - there is no substitute for appropriate training
among groups practising at risk behaviours and extensive IEC programs for the
general public. UNAIDS is hampered by a lack of funds and the success of UNAIDS and the practical ability of the UN system to apply appropriate development
assistance in co-operation with local government.
60111 Medical care for PLWHA in resource constrained settings:
Bridging gap action of SWAA-BURUNDI
Francoise Ndayishimiye1, Jeanine Ntibanyiha2. 1Rohero I Avenue Des Etas
Unis N, 5 B.P 6301, SWAA; 2ANSS, Burundi
Problematic: Non financial accessibility to medical care for PLWHA in ressource
constrained settings is one of the principal obstacle to voluntary HIV counselling
and testing, and a major obstacle in the prevention of HIV transmission. It is the
cause of despair of PLWHA in developping countries.
Project: In order to relieve PLWHA, to improve their health conditions, to de
termine how providing medical care for PLWHA in ressource contrained settings
can contribute to their behaviour change and to the prevention of HIV; gratuitous
medical care (consultation, gift of some essential medicines and counselling) are
given to PLWHA in ressource constraineds settings. This project includes in its
staf, professionally qualified medical practitional and a qualified social worker.
There is a collaboration between medical intervenants engaged in fighting against
AIDS, PLWHA Organisation and the committee of Prince Regent Charles Hospital
engaged in helping PLWHA and in promoting the voluntary HIV testing. Condoms
are gratuitously given to people who ask for them.
Results: 10 to 22 ill PLWHA in ressource contrained settings are consulted
per day at SWAA-BURUNDI. 92% of them benefit gratuitous medicines in three
PLWHA support Organisations. (34% from "SWAA", 31% from "ANSS", 27% from

"Nouvelle Esperance"), 8% can not be treated because there is any indicated
medecine in the three PLWHA support Organisations. Some of them who need
hospitalisation are refered to the committee of Prince Regent Charles Hospital
engaged in helping PLWHA with some money for surety. 120 condoms per month
are given to those who ask for them. Within four months the number of demand
for health care help, counseilling and HIV test has increased.

Constraints: risk of no continuity of the action if there is no help from the
government, from financial backers or other donors. Lack of material for voluntary
HIV test in the country.
Lessons Learned: Medical care for PLWHA in Resource Constrained Settings
as a Bridging gap action is a matter to relieve PLWHA and improve their health
conditions, to contribute to their behaviour change and to the prevention of HIV.
The collaboration between various organisations interested in health care and
counselling for PLWHA is an efficient means of fighting against AIDS.
60112 Prevention program carried out with young people at the
oil zones: Amazonian zone
Juan Rivadeneira. 10 de agosto y Atahualpa (s/N) Puyo-Pastaza, Ecuador
Issues: Oil products, migration, and alcohol cause vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in
young people.
Projects: Based on community diagnosis on vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in young
people who live in Puyo, a project is set regarding prevention, in many areas,
with the municipality, the Culture House, the Health and Education Main Office,
and the Youth Federation. A province committee is organized in order to work out
an effective prevention program related to the local development.
Results: 1) We are able to organize a team with participants of different areas
and parties. 2) A team of young people was established and they worked in
couples. 3) 220 young people were qualified in 6 months. 4) A continuous support
from the mass media was implemented. 5) There is a great demand from other
areas in order to be accepted in this group that works on actions taken regarding
AIDS, in the city.
Conclusion: *The works done on AIDS can be carried out and be effective
when there is a response from different parties of a given area. *Prevention is
more effective while working with couples/partners. *Young people could participate in a creative way, planning, executing, executing, and evaluating prevention
proposals with their community.
S60113 Education program for the prevention of ETS/HIV/AIDS
Aida Fabiola Aguilar Salazar, F.L.M. Freire Lalama Maria De Lourdes,
C.C.M. Cisneros Cardens Marcelo, B.B.M. Barrera Beltran Marcelo. Calle
Cuenca 843 y Eloy Alfaro Ambato Provincia de Tungurahua, Ecuador
Issues: Drivers who belong to the bus drivers association of the Tungurahua
Province have to go to different cities. People who live in the places they visit
can have HIV infection due to the incidence registered in the zone. Drivers ignore
about the disease and for that reason they are exposed to get the infection. Most
drivers can be infected because of the rules they have within their group; the
more women they have, the best they are (the bus driver should have several
women at each place he goes).
Project: Based on the diagnosis carried out in bus drivers the results demonstrated there is a high rate of people who have Sexual Transmitted Diseases, a
pattern of sexual relationship with multiple persons, also there is ignorance on
Sexual Transmitted Diseases, HIV/AIDS, and there is no space for the drivers to
rest, nor a structured recreation program. So, an education and training project
was designed for the prevention of those disease. It was directed to 140 bus
drivers because even they are young men who are exposed to the risk of getting
those diseases or the HIV, they have not been considered in the prevention
programs carried out in this country. The project includes training by means of
workshops, team work that will receive advise on sexual education, self esteem,
and basic knowledge on Sexual Transmitted Diseases, HIV/AIDS.
Results: The project is carried out by a technical team conformed by 2 doctors and 2 investigators. They work in the bus station, in Ambato, Tungurahua
Province. We show how is the work going on. It is difficult to work with bus drivers
as they are moving all the time, and there is almost no spare time between one
trip and another; also, there is little interest from the owners of the buses and
from the directors of the transportation cooperatives. A sensibility campaign is a
strategy applied in order to promote the project. Now, we have a room in the bus
station where workshops are held. The bus drivers. Who are not the real owners
of buses and work for a person who pays them, have demonstrated their interest
in the topic, and that is shown by their attendance to the workshops in their spare
time.
Conclusion: The formal structure of a cooperative does not offer facilities for
the workshops. The owners of the buses and the directors of the cooperatives
don't support programs that could disturb the frequency of the trips, because they
earnings will diminish. The bus drivers can't demand the workshops because
the are paid according to the number of trips they drive. There are some macho
attitudes and belief (occasional sexual relationship, not using a condom) that are
part of their behavior because it grants them prestige inside the group.
60114 Detection of HIV antibodies in saliva using a fast
screening kit in Brazil
Antonio Bandeira1, G.R. Da Silva1, R. Badard2, E.C. Sabino3,

A. Saez-Alquezar3, N.A. Salles3. 1University of Satilde;o Paulo, Sao Paulo,
2Federal University of Bahia, Salvador; 3Blood Bank of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo,
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Rapid and practical HIV screen test still is a needed tool for monitoring the HIV
incidence in risk populations for developing areas. HIV antibodies saliva detection