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

12th World AIDS Conference

Abstracts 60150-60157 1027

60150 The use of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-Hu-EPO)
in children with HIV infection: Experience on an
Argentinean population
Alcides R. Troncoso1, Ruben lacono2, P. Cahataro3, C. Carranza4, F. Romero5,
P. Suarez6, P. Ambrona6, E. Poskus2. 1 Valentin Gomez 3191 50 "A" CP: (1191);
2lnst. De Estudios De Inmunidad Humoral I.D.E.H.U. Conicet U.B.A. Buenos
Aires; 3Hospital Diego Thompson Buenos Aires; 4Hospital J.M. Penna Buenos
Aires; 5Hospital Pedro Mallo Buenos Aires; 6Hospital Juan A. Fernandez
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Introduction: Anemia is the most frequent hematological manifestation in HIV
infected children. Anemia associated with HIV infection may be due to reduced
erythropoiesis, related to the disease itself or to concomitant medications (eg,
zidovudine).
Objective: The study of the effect of r-Hu-EPO for correction of anemia in HIV
infected children. Patients: For the study, twelve children with confirmed diagnosis
of HIV infection (based on CDC diagnostic criteria) were selected, and evidence
of anemia (haemoglobin level -3 SD for age in at least two determinations a
week apart lasting 30 days) in abscence of iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12 deficit.
Methods: Patients underwent a complete physical examination at baseline
and had complete blood counts, serum chemistries and liver function tests. Laboratories study were repeated weekly during tratment. Selected patients were
given r-Hu-EPO (supplied by ELEA, SACIFyA) subcutaneoslyat 150 U/Kg dose,
two times weekly, supplementing therapy with oral iron. Treatment response was
evaluated by changes in mean hematocrit en haemoglobin.
Results: Favorable response was observed in 10 (83.33%) of children. Haematocrit and haemoglobin significatly increased during the treatment (p = 0.0001
and p = 0.0005, respectively).
Conclusions: (1) No side effects were recorded during the administration of
r-HuEPO.
(2) R-HuEPO prevent blood transfusions and increase haemoglobin levels in
the 10 children treated.
(3) R-HuEPO appear to be safe and useful agents in the management of
HIVinfected children.
(4) These results suggest thats r-HuEPO may improve anemia unrelated to
zidovudine in children who have AIDS.
60151 Drug compliance in patients starting saquinavir
Peter M. Ford1, Rachel Carson2, S. Pepperell3. 12043 Etherington Hall Queens
University Kingston Ontario; 2Department oflnt Med, Queens University
Kingston ON; 3Caitlin Kingston ON, Canada
Objective: To determine as part of a quality of life survey (QOL), the degree of
adherence to therapy in a group of patients starting Saquinavir.
Subjects: 44 Patients regularly attending an HIV Clinic who were already on
two RTI's, and were felt to be adherent to their drug regimen.
Methods: 75% regularly missed one or less doses per week; 9% regularly
missed from one to five doses per week, and 16% regularly missed more than
five doses per week. 62% identified as not missing any consecutive doses, 18%
had missed for less than two days at a time, but 20% had stopped for longer
than two days on at least one occasion. There was no trend toward diminished
compliance with time and patterns of compliance were usually established at the
end of the first month.
Comment: This is a poor compliance rate for a drug with minimal side effects
in a group of patients apparently adherent to their previous drug regimen and
has significant implications for emergence of drug resistance. We will present an
analysis of the ability of the specific questions in the initial QOL questionnare to
predict the degree of subsequent compliance.
60152 Telemedicine: A timeless media for HIV clinical education
Christine Brennan1, A.L. Bedimo2, D.N. Gray2. 1136 South Roman Street New
Orleans, Louisiana 70112-3010; 2LSUMC/Delta Region AETC New Orleans LA,
USA
Issue: To provide stat-of-the-art information to staff members of small health care
centers that are seeing increasing numbers of at-risk or HIV infected individuals
without high travel costs and time.
Project: HIV clinical education was provided by experts from the HIV Outpatient
Program at the MCLNO to rural sites throughout Louisiana via the Telemedicine
Programs of Louisiana between 11/94 and 4/97. This teleconferencing system,
with a hub in New Orleans and receiving sits throughout rural Louisiana, allows
for interactive, actual-time presentations to be provided with an opportunity for
discussion between the participants and the presenter.
Results: 218 health care providers received continuing education at six sites
throughout southwestern Louisiana from clinical experts who never left the
MCLNO campus. There was no cost, in either money or time, for travel to
these sites.

Lesson Learned: As teleconferencing accessibility improves, providing clinical
education to rural sites, regardless of their size, will become less burdensome on
both experts' time and organizations' resources.

S60153 Finding, using, an sharing your selfempowerment to
empower others
Monica Johnson. PO Box 1132 Columbia LA 71418, USA
Objective: To gather together a group of HIV and non-HIV infected females
who are an Ethnic Cross section, and whose purpose will be to explore the
psychological, emotional, social and political impact on females.
Design: Utilization of visual aids and oral presentation.
Method: This workshop will focus on when, where, why and how of becoming
self-empowered. Opening the presentation with slides that use the powerful forces
of nature to analogize the phases of the HIV infection processes through which
an individual passes, the stage is set to begin the discussion on empowerment.
The written materials, "Finding Your Voice", "Using Your Voice", and "Making Your
Voice Be Heard" will be used to instruct and motivate women to take a stand
for equality even in hard to reach communities. Other subjects will include parity,
inclusion, representation and the need for women to understand what arenas
exist, how to be included in those arenas and how to be equally represented as
persons infected/affected with HIV.
Results: The skills and knowledge gained by the participant will enable them
to be self-empowered and to empower other women on the local, state and/or
national level to make their voices be heard.
Conclusion: Empowering others to be secure in utilizing their voices for awareness raising and recognizing the importance of opening doors for other women
by taking a stand and paving the way through. Consciousness raising appears to
be the method best suited for this workshop.
60154 Art to understand AIDS
Payungsak Kochsomrong. 57/60 Tivanond Road, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
Project: To encourage people living with HIV/AIDS regain there self confidence
through Art acitvity. An art workshop helps people to express themselves, discuss about feelings, speak to and from his/herself. Art works can be a direct
information. It is also a document produced by positive people in the positive
vision.
The Art to Understand AIDS is a project of Naam-Chewit. This project wish to
help reduce discrimination against People Living with HIV/AIDS. It also hope to
relief people from isolation and loneliness and return to a normal lives within their
own families and communities.
Conclusion: To exhibit Art works done by People Living with HIV/AIDS and
Quilts produced by students workshop in high schools
60155 Communicating dangers of HIV infection among illiterate
male alcoholics in Machakos District
Fanuel 0. Achilili, L.L. Awuor, C.A. Kowi. Tapwak, PO. Box 30583, Nairobi,
Kenya
Issue: To investigate sexual behaviour and attitudes of illiterate male alcoholics
and their HIV risk factors.
Project: 100 illiterate adult male alcoholics were interviewed on their sex behaviour after Bar-time and knowledge of HIV/AIDS. 60% had commercial sex
after Bar-time. 30% had heard about AIDS. 30% had steady women friends. 5%
believed HIV/AIDS is a taboo.
Conclusion: Community programmes using venacular in HIV/AIDS education
should be emphasised. There is too much talk about women groups living men
uncared for and subjected to possible HIV infection.
S60156 Peer education a weapon against HIV/AIDS
Nicholas Otieno Onyango, P.L. Odhiambo, J.O. Odundo. Tapwak, PO. Box
30583, Nairobi, Kenya
Issues: To mobilise people infected with HIV in communities, schools, hospitals,
through their leaders. PWAs who were referred to TAPWAK were encouraged to
do activities like Drama to help in teaching the communities about living positively.
The peer education programme encouraged people/communities to come for
counselling and seeking for more information about HIV and AIDS.
Lessons Learned: Encouraging AIDS-related Drama and social education to
peers within community settings helps to bring positive change among peers.
60157 Empowerment of needy HIV infected women in Kayole
slums of Nairobi through IGA group processes
Dorothy Obare Onyango, R.A. Achieng, J.G. Gathoni. WOFAK, PO. Box 58428.
Nairobi, Kenya
Issue: Present a case model as an indicator that through a group process, HIV+
positive women living in slum situations can be empowered.
Project: Over 250 HIV+ positive women are being cared for through Wofak

IGA programmes in Kayole. The women had limited skills and in many instances
reverted to commercial sex for survival. They were alienated from themselves,
their society and families by the lifestyles and illness. Wofak has responded
by assisting the women in developing economic skills to bring about financial
independency resulting in improved health.
Conclusion: Sustained IGA through group process can enhance HIV and AIDS
intervention, gender, women empowerment and development.