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

174 Abstracts 13438-13442

12th World AIDS Conference

13438 An effective model AIDS prevention program for port
workers in Santos, Brazil
R. Lacerda1, N. Gravato1, A. Mello2, E. Hudes3, R. Stall3, N. Hearst3. 1Nucleo
de Educacao E Prevencao-DST/AIDS, Praca Rui Barbos A, 23-40 Andar,
Santos, SP; 2ASPPE Programa Municipal AIDS, Santos, Brazil; 3UCSF Center
for AIDS Prevention Studies, San Francisco, CA, USA
Objectives: The port of Santos is one of the original epicenters of the AIDS epidemic in Brazil and is leading the trend towards an increasing caseload attributed
to heterosexual transmission in that country. We undertook a worksite-based
AIDS prevention program among port workers in Santos and measured its impact
on heterosexual risk behavior for HIV infection.
Methods: A representative sample of 226 male port workers was interviewed
in 1994, 1995, and 1996 in a three-wave prospective cohort study. An intervention
costing US $90,000 directed towards the entire community of 20,000 port workers was conducted between Waves 2 and 3 of data collection. The multifaceted
intervention involved outreach workers, training of selected port workers as "multipliers," and distribution of educational materials and condoms. No organized
AIDS control program had targeted this population previously.
Results: Sexual risk behavior showed no sign of decline between Waves 1 and
2 (before the intervention) but decreased substantially between Waves 2 and
3 (after the intervention). This resulted from both a decrease in the number of
non-primary partners and an increase in condom use. *not measured Wave 1
Wavel Wave2 Wave3 p value
Mean # nonmonogamous partners 0.58 0.58 0.41 0.01
% with nonmonogamous partners 22.1% 24.9% 20.7% 0.07
% unprotected sex with nonmonogamous partners 16.1% 20.3% 11.1% < 0.0001
% sex with "casual" partner * 20.7% 12.0% 0.002
% unprotected sex with casual partner * 12.0% 3.2% < 0.0001
Conclusions: This study indicates that a worksite-based AIDS control program can produce marked behavior change at a modest cost. Furthermore, it
demonstrates that it is feasible to measure the impact of such a program using
a longitudinal design. We hope these results will encourage other prevention
programs in similar populations elsewhere.
S13439AIDS at the workplace in Indian industry confederation of
Indian industry (CII): a pilot study
Sandhya Bhalla. CII India Habitat Centre, Zone 4, 4 Floor Lodi Road, New Delhi,
110003, India
Issue: Sensitise industry on issues related to HIV/AIDS and implement behaviour
change programmes at the workplace.
Project: A large number of those infected, form the main workforce in the
economically productive age, crucial for industry as well as society. CII, enabled
its member companies to smoothly, responsibly and cost effectively initiate, sensitisation and appropriate behaviour change programmes through interventions
related to HIV/AIDS. This study highlights the different strategies used for the
programme, within the socio-cultural framework of the target group. Varied work
environments in companies, a result of the diverse Indian society, have efficiently
incorporated the programme into their existing infrastructure.
The CII strategy: Development of Advocacy & IEC modules for HIV/AIDS
prevention, care & control; orientation for sensitisation; assessment of knowledge
& attitudes; existing programmes; intervention planning & implementation; peer
educator training; condom programming; STD management and modification of
the programme subject to feedback.
Result: Programme well received by CII members. In 1 year over 300 companies initiated the programme;50 monitored for the pilot study. Programme
successfully adapted; extends to the immediate community; has rural outreach;
goes beyond the epidemic; seeks stronger partnerships with health provides and
calls for regional networking.
Lessons Learned: Industry is positive & geared to beat the epidemic. Business
leaders seen as catalysts for change, respond in a proactive manner, kindle social
responsibility towards society, to impact development.
( 13440J AIDS situation, employers' opinion and prevention
activities in the workplace in Thailand: Results of a
nation-wide workplace survey
Pranee Atthakha. AIDS Division Dept., CDC Ministry of Public Health, Tivanon,
Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
Background: The objective of this study was to assess AIDS situation, employers' opinion and AIDS prevention activities in the workplaces. Data from this study
would be useful for supporting and coordinating AIDS prevention programme in
the workplaces.
Methods: A survey was conducted by using a set of questionnaire sent to
all factories in all districts of 75 provinces throughout Thailand and 9 districts of

Bangkok. Only the responses from factories with more than 100 workers were
included in the analysis.
Results: There were 348 factories that sent back the filled questionnaires. It
was found that: (1) Situation: 29.6% of the factories had HIV infected employees. Various AIDS prevention activities were conducted in the workplace. These
included (a) dissemination of leaflets (95.4%), (b) training on AIDS prevention
(61.8%) and conducting AIDS exhibitions (46.0%), (2) Employers' opinions on

AIDS problems: 77.3% expressed that HIV infection would affect working environment in the workplaces, 61.5% raised the importance of pre-employment
HIV screening in order to avoid the effect of HIV on the working environment,
and 67.8% preferred exhibition as an effective means to disseminate AIDS information to employees, (3) AIDS prevention programmes in the workplaces:
AIDS prevention policies were formulated in 20.4% of the places, and 25.0% had
developed AIDS plan. Coordination of the programme was with the government
sector (70.2%) and non-government organizations (19.9%), (4) AIDS activities
for infected persons: various activities were conducted to support HIV infected
employees, such as confidentiality on blood results (46.0%), assistance and moral
support (66.1%), continued employment until having health problems (49.7%),
and provision of counselling services (38.8%). Financial support for living, education, and vocational training was provided through coordination with provincial
welfare and labour protection office.
Conclusion: The threat of AIDS in the workplaces is clearly observed in the
study. Many factories have policies and plans to cope with the problems. They
have conducted both AIDS prevention activities for employees and supportive
measures for infected workers. Coordination of government sector, private sector
and NGOs to further strengthen the fight against AIDS in the workplaces is
recommended.
S13441 Implementing an STD/AIDS education program among
the dock workers in the Manila harbor area
Daniel Cruz1, J.B. Fleras2, T. Macapagal2. 14P R.S. Gonzales Compound,
Samonte St., Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila; 2ReachOut Foundation,
Makati City, Philippines
Issues: Studies in the Manila North and South Harbor showed a high incidence
of risky sexual practices among the dock workers. Multiple sexual partners, commercial sex coupled with low condom use, prohibited drug use, low knowledge
on STD and HIV/AIDS, self-medication, and alcohol abuse are just some of the
factors that placed them at risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV infection and
other STDs.
Project: ReachOut Foundation was awarded a grant by the United States
Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) to implement an STD/AIDS Education
program targeting male dock workers. The project components are: peer education, interpersonal communication and counseling, IEC materials production and
distribution, condom distribution and lecture presentations. Free medical missions
and related topics on prohibited drug use and abuse were also provided. The
project relied on collaboration with the management and labor union officials to
ensure easier access to the target clients.
Results: After a year of implementation, 8,765 target clients were reached.
Thirty peer educators from the port area were trained. A brochure on sexual
health and a 32-page comics was produced specifically for dock workers. A video
containing six TV ads on STD and AIDS produced by ReachOut Foundation, and
a documentary on AIDS Facts and Fallacies was also produced as a supplement
for the lectures. These videos were later adapted by the training department
of three shipping companies to teach their old and newly hired personnel. The
management and labor union leaders are now actively helping the project staff
by providing opportunities for intervention during their meetings and celebrations.
Lessons Learned: In implementing an STD, HIV/AIDS education program in
the workplace, it is advantageous to collaborate initially with management and
labor union officials to gain easier access to the workers. Involving their leaders
ensures a better chance for the goals of the project to be sustained. The use
of audience-specific IEC materials attract more target clients especially during
lectures.
13442 1 Establishing HIV/AIDS programs in the workplace:
Outreach to factories in Pathum Thani province, Thailand
Yawarat Porapakkham, Wilaiwan Koykaewpring. 25/5 Phuttamonthon 4 Rd.
Salaya, Nakornpathom, Thailand
Issue: Innovative and appropriate intervention to increase real awareness and
adjust risky behaviors are required for factory employees 20-24 years of age.
Project: Navanakorn Industrial Estate in Pathum Thani, locate Bangkok Vicinity
with low prevalence of HIV positive (0.2% in 1996) was good location for testing
the Model funded by the European Union.
Model employed two levels of approach, first is to create a supportive environment at provincial level by integrated as a special project of Phathum Thani AIDS
committee, and network with Navanakorn Personnel Manager Forum and local
NGO's in order to strengthen political and technical sustainability.
Second, an intervention to institutionalize HIV/AIDS education at 12 participating factories (covered 23,000 employees) by building skill and capability of factory
middle-management staff and peer volunteers to be able to continue education
activities under guidance of local government and NGOs.
Results: The Outreach to Factory Project was well received by executive
manager of factories. The link among Provincial AIDS committee, Navanakorn
Personnel Manager Forum and local NGOs actively existed 10 out of 12 factories

declared HIV/AIDS policy positively. Changes in awareness, attitude and belief
for safer sex among employees were indicated by pre-post behavioral studies.
Lessons Learned: Potential success of the Project appeared to be a specific
intervention to meet the specific needs and understanding of factory managers
and employees.