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

178 Abstracts 13459-13464

12th World AIDS Conference

Results: (I) 14,000 private and public sector business engaged in continuing
prevention programs; (II) 105 "social agents" or consultants trained as information
disseminators; (III) Production and distribution of workplace prevention program
development manuals (50.000); (IV) production and distribution of 50.000 Catalogs compiling services, products and resources available nationwide to support
workplace programs; (V) Distribution of 3.500 videos for both employees and
employers; (VI) Support to 3 KAP surveys; (VII) Production and broadcast of 2
national media campaigns.
Lessons Learned: It is possible to sensitize the private sector to work within
government public health policies when you also provide initial technical support
and IEC materials. There is still a great gap between the level of information
individuals acquire and their motivation to engage in safer sexual behavior.
The workplace can provide a reinforcement setting for new patterns of positive
behaviors.
S13459 Challenges in implementing a workplace-based peer-led
AIDS education program in Harare: The Zimbabwe AIDS
Prevention Project (ZAPP) experience
Verna Mzezewa1'2, Mary Basset2, Rhoderick Machekano2, William McFarland3,
David Katzenstein3. 1114 Nelson Mandela Avenue, Harare; 2Zimbabwe AIDS
Prevention Project, Harare, Zimbabwe; 3Stanford University, California, USA
Issue: To implement a sustainable workplace-based peer education program in
partnership with management.
Project: The effectiveness of a peer education/condom distribution intervention
was tested in a randomized, factory-based study in Harare, Zimbabwe. To obtain
involvement of management, we hosted an initial half-day workshop. After agreeing to participate, managers assisted in identification of worker peer educators,
allowed access to the workplace for education and agreed to release of workers
for training and refresher courses over a period of three years. At factory units,
we interviewed managers about problems in carrying out the peer education
program.
Results: The intervention was successful, with a 34% reduction in HIV infection in factories where peer educators were trained. Data showed great impact
with more peer education consistently implemented. Managers participated in a
dissemination workshop. Ways of sustaining the intervention are being sought.
Lessons Learned: 1. In establishing a workplace-based education program,
the commitment, support and cooperation of the senior management is critical. 2.
The workplace offers an ideal environment to disseminate AIDS prevention messages and to influence change of behaviour if management can be consistent with
its commitment. 3. An urgent need for a clear government policy compelling the
private sector to make AIDS prevention programs part of their mission statement
cannot be overemphasized.
13460 Vulnerability of women secretaries to HIV infection:
Uganda's experience
Cecilia Kiconco-Turyamureba1, J.F. Kanyunyuzi-Asaba2, Y.K. Nsubuga2,
B. Bontie Gansusure2. 1P.O. Box 10779, Kampala; 2Uganda AIDS Commission,
Kampala, Uganda
Issue: On-job sexual harassment of women Secretaries by their bosses and
peers increases risks to HIV infection. Is it always easy to fight this ill?
Project: Women Secretaries in Uganda initiated an Association primarily responsible to protect/guard against all forms of employment abuse including sexual
harassment to women secretaries by their bosses/employers and peers at work.
Results: The Association's objectives have been received by women in employment more particularly the women secretaries. Some have come up openly
to testify against sexual harassment.
Lessons Learnt: An organized Association can be effective at lobbying for
improved working conditions and could reduce sexual harassment that is a
predisposing factor to HIV infection.
|13461 "On Board" Ship STD/HIV-AIDS intervention program
(Sakay Barko project)
Generoso Alvarez, Emmanuel Mullaneda. Foundation for Health Education &
Drug Awareness, Inc., Philippines
Issue: Seafarers, particularly the ship's officers, crews and some passengers
share high risk sexual practices while on board a passenger ship, which make
them vulnerable to STD/HIV-AIDS infection. Immediate, sustained and systematic
intervention efforts are necessary.
Project: Project "Sakay Barko" (On Board Ship) targets 46 Philippine interisland passenger vessels, consisting of 3,000 officers and crews; each ship having
an average capacity of 2,000 persons. Facts: Mr. X, a crew member frequently
observed that his roommates brought girls into their cabin bed. He later on
adopted the same practices and found it very easy to entice girls, esp. those from
the provinces who travel alone. On Board entertainers, CS Workers (Local and
overseas) would seek sexual encounters for fee or pleasure. Some crew mem
bers noticed that some male passengers invited female partners into their private
cabins. Strategies for implementation: A pre-arranged and sustained "On Board"
Ship STD/HIV-AIDS seminars, from one ship to another, for crews, officers, and
some interested adult passengers; focus group discussion and distribution of IEC
materials. Support services provide counselling and condoms.

Results: The shipping industry management gave its wholehearted cooperation and support for the implementation of the above strategies. Beneficiaries
became more aware and knowledgeable about the facts, issues and basics of
STD/HIV AIDS.
Lessons Learned: With corporate support and cooperation, the STD/HIV-AIDS
intervention program in the passenger shipping industry can easily be attained.
The multi-channel approach proved very effective in enhancing moral values and
health seeking behaviors.
S13462 1 Developing AIDS prevention programme for the work
place
Shouket Ali. 1st Floor Delhi Muslim Hotel Arambagh Road Karachi Pakistan,
Pakistan
Issues: Workplace based issues relating to HIV/AIDS are attracting minimal
attention and place in the national strategic plans of the country both in the governmental and the non governmental sector. This is despite the fact the country
has a known record of abuses of the rights of the positive people. This training
project was aimed at developing partnerships at the workplace, and to address
prevention and care issue.
Description: A Pilot training program was developed by the society with the
support of a National Confederation of workers the All Pakistan Trade Union
Congress, and the Employers Associations, to impart training and education to
the group, responsible for policy making, at 10 workplaces in different part of the
country, comprising of officials of the grass root trade union, and the management
representatives. Trainees were appraised of the realities, myth and concerns
surrounding HIV/AIDS as well as specific workplace based issues relating to
persons with HIV/AIDS, and were reinforced with background material relating
to rights and legal perspective, as well as best practices prevalent in different
setups. The program has successfully achieved its objective and will be extended
to another set of 16 workplaces during the next six month.
Conclusions: The program evaluation highlighted the fact that approaching
those who have a direct say in policy making at the workplace was a fruitful and
result oriented approach and will help in a developing and implementing a code
of conduct, which could address positively the concerns of all the partners, and
will help maintain a environment where the rights of the persons with HIV/AIDS
are respected
S13463 Once an outsider. Now, working within!
Irene Fonacier-Fellizar. 18 Unit 5, 21st Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines
Issue: Designing and testing intervention for Behavior Change and Health Maintenance as part of HIV/AIDS Prevention with partners from the Sex Industry is
more effective if Outsiders implement the work within the system.
Project: Since 1988, HIV/AIDS interventions has not weaned from targeting
workers of the Sex Industry. While many organizations implement projects to protect workers from HIV/AIDS, others do projects seeking to take them away or out
of the business. Whether any or both approaches work, the industry still thrives
and women, men and children in this setting continue to experience Non-Health
situations. To solicit the active participation of industry workers in examining how
best HIV/AIDS interventions have touched their lives, look at reasons for continuing Non-Health situations, develop Non-Stressful interventions that will truly make
Health within their control, an action study was conducted using active participant
observation in establishments and cruising areas.
Results: Establishments participating in the study were able to set-up policies
and mechanisms that are sex worker friendly and Health focused. The organization of Sex Industry workers experience face lift towards more control over their
affairs and welfare.
Lessons: An outsider working in with the partners can fully grasp the nuances
of the Industry which haave not been addressed by outsider designed outside
interventions. Being trully a paart of the Industry facilitates on the job training
of peers, actualization of Health goals mid guidance in the implementation of
behavior change plans.
S13464 Workbased strategies for AIDS education and prevention
Deus Kizito Nsubuga1, R. Akol2, F. Kirunda2, B. Kizito3. 'c/o QU P.O. Box 8880
Kampala; 2Uganda Airlines Kampala; 3TASO Kampala, Uganda
Issue: This paper examines a workplace Situation in which some with AIDS
almost caused Corporation unrest. This marked the beginning of Uganda Airlines
AIDS education programme for its employees.
Project: The medical team of the Corporation were approached by management to try and find a solution to workers unrest about some employees with
AIDS. Management then organised talks geared at sensitising its employees.
PLWAs from a nearby AIDS Support Organisation (TASO Entebbe) came and
gave testimonies. During the talks basic facts about HIV/AIDS and means of
prevention were discussed. The questions asked by the employees showed that

many were still ignorant about HIV/AIDS and thought it did not affect them. Posters
with prevention messages have been displayed in most offices. The medical team
has had some of its nurses trained as counsellors to prvide counselling services.
About seven of us have been trained as peer educators and we receive a lot
of questios during our free time. Condoms are distributed free of charge at the
Corporation Clinic.