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

184 Abstracts 13491-13495

12th World AIDS Conference

hospital. Future actions will target diseases transmission within specific services.
Many hospital have taken infections prevention as main priority in their annual
program to improve the quality of care. Health workers are now more aware on
risk practises in their daily activity and how to avoid them. They required additional
training, documents, materials as well as extension of activities to rural health
facilities.
Conclusion: This program shows that lack of information, training, mobilisation
and material are main factors contributing to HIV transmission in limited resources
health structures. The prevention of HIv and other nosocomial can be achieved
by developing strategy adapted to each structure, and purchase of adequate
equipment and material.
1134911 A comprehensive health care delivery approach for
female commercial sex workers in Mumbai Metro's
redlight area
Arun Bamne. 6 Sadhana Society, Relief Road TPS-VI, Santacruz (West)
Mumbai, India
Issue: Female Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs) in Mumbai metro's redlight area
have tremendous problems in accessing public health facilities within the project
site for which a holistic methodology was needed.
Project: Kamathipura is the Mumbai's brothel-based redlight area with more
than 25000 female CSWs. Specialised clinical services like Medical Termination of
Pregnancy, TB, STD, etc. are not accessible due to the extreme marginalisation of
the sex industry. AIDSCell staffers assessed the special needs of this population.
A separate "Under-one-Roof" facility was set-up, called Gowrabai Comprehensive Health Care Unit which included all health facilities, in collaboration with the
Medical Colleges. It has pioneered a holistic approach to empower the women
& boost their confidence. The unit is exclusively staffed by women thus reducing
apprehension & creating a conducive atmosphere. Nearly 17000 CSWs availed
the services from its inception in April'96.
Results: A personalised approach to such stigmatised populations offers an
holistic approach to their problems. Adopting comprehensive health care approach
resulted in improving the quality of the municipal healthcare. This ultimately helped
in stabilising the STD/HIV/AIDS prevalence in the red light areas.
Lessons Learned: The comprehensive health care approach is a dire need
in the redlight area for the female CSWs, especially when they need specialised
interventions. Such an approach initiates a sustained rapport with the community
and makes for an efficient AIDS Prevention Programme Management.
S13492 To build a bridge between traditional and modern health
workers in HIV/AIDS, and STDS prevention, care,
treatment and support
Kikonyogo Nashib Galukindu1, M.M. Tokamalilawol, A. Sematimba1,
A. Nabatanzi1, A.M. Kasatiru2, R. Serunjogi1, R. Mugerwal. 1 THECA THETA
PO. Box 211755 Kampala; 2 Yulia, Kampala, Uganda
Issue: Benefits of collaboration between traditional medicine and medical health
practitioners in AIDS care and prevention.
Project: After a training of healers in Kampala District on AIDS awareness
and counselling by THETA (Traditional and modern health practitioners together
against AIDS and other diseases) which lasted for 18 months, 17 participants out
of 45 selected completed the training. 8 participants who excelled in community
education and counselling on AIDS formed a group known as THECA (Traditional
Healer Educators and Counsellors on AIDS awareness). The formation of THECA
was due to the challenges recognised by the members themselves in their work.
Diagnosis and referral, care and support, prevention, condom use, high cost and
poor quality of traditional care of PWAs. The group aims at improving the standard
of care and support of PWAs, and behavior change for HIV/AIDS prevention.
Results: Frank and open discussions with our clients at our clinics, offering
counselling and support. Conducting community education on prevention and care
of PWAs, formation of 4 support groups; Yulia AIDS Support group, Bwakedde
Mpulira AIDS support group Toka and Ndeeba support groups.
Refresher courses for group members to update them on HIV/AIDS, invitations
from many communities requesting for community education, THECA secured
funds from Action Aid Uganda to train more healers. Both THECA and Doctors
facilitated many topics discussion in the healers training. Healers are selected to
be the main speakers in THETA speakers beraue which is a monthly HIV/AIDS
forum for caregivers and patients.
Lessons Learnt: Traditional healers can contribute to a positive and strong
bridge of collaboration with modern health practitioners in the community's response to HIV/AIDS. As they are respected in the community, Healers can
mobilise and give education for many health problems. Healers have gained a
new respect as resource persons for AIDS and STDs in the community.
13493 Quality of care for PWAs: Conflicting perspectives
Pauline Russell-Brown, F. Jones. 'Carribean Epidemiology Centre

(CAREC)/GTZ, 16-18 Jamaica Boulevard, Federation Park, Port of Spain,
Trinidad; 2University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados
Background: Sensitisation of health care workers about AIDS and the care
and support of persons living with AIDS (PLAs) is an integral component of the
national AIDS programme in Barbados. A recent assessment conducted as part

of a service improvement effort explored the opinions of both health care workers
and PWAs. This paper discussses the results of that assessment.
Methods: The research used a multi method design. A sample survey and four
focus groups of health care workers provided information from the health care
workers' perspective. In-depth interviews with a convenience sample of PWAs
generated insights into the perceptions and experiences of PWAs regarding
counselling and support services.
Results: Comparative analysis of the qualitative data indicates differences in
judgement of quality of care between health care workers and PWAs. Not unlike
previous research, data from the focus groups and in-depth interviews indicate
congruent perceptions but also divergent opinions about quality of care between
user and provider communities. Isolating these differences is the first step in
improving service quality. Results of the assessment will be carefully considered
when planning future interventions for health care workers and PLAs.
Conclusions: The user perspective is as important as the provider perspective
in assessments of quality care. Lasting improvements in service quality are not
possible if only one perspective is considered.
13494 1 Networking and capacity building of NGOs for effective
intervention process
Jos Joson Meloot, S. Sankaran, L. Sankaran, K. Chandhok, Muthu. DESH, 3
De-monte Colony, TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 600018, India
Issue: Networking/Capacity Building of NGOs-an effective strategy in HIV/AIDS
prevention education.
Project: With six years of experience in HIV/AIDS intervention programs in
Chennai for youth, DESH realised the necessity of intervention for youth in three
districts of Tamil Nadu addressing around 800 schools. This need could only
be met through capacity building, consequent networking and periodic training of local NGOs. 33 NGOs in these districts were shortlisted through needs
assessment survey supplemented by field visits from DESH. DESH acts as a
mother unit providing technical and financial assistance. A training module was
formulated keeping in mind the NGOs' track record and socio-cultural aspects.
The training focussed on information on HIV/AIDS, need for sustained behaviour
change, issues related to sex and sexuality, in addition to communication skills,
facilitation skills, monitoring and evaluation of projects and project administration
and management.
Process
Selection Support group Training Allotment Intervention Monitoring
of NGOs of schools by NGOs
Identification Health & Education Residential Area of Fixing Observation

Official & School and Refresher Operation of
Authorities training

Workshops

Data Form
Field Visit

Conducting WS Evaluation
Monitoring WS Follow-up
Shortlisting

Conclusion: An effective IEC package, networking and periodical appraisal
helped DESH and NGOs (33) in rapid and effective coverage of 800 schools in two
years through 2,736 workshops. The process of capacity building and networking
strongly advocated and initiated by DESH enables rapid and sustained action in
HIV/AIDS prevention and control, in a developing country like India where a need
exists for speedy and effective intervention.
134951 AIDS and condom - Knowledge and attitudes of students
Yimin Cheng', Y.U. Lu2, L.I. Ren2. 1Nati. Research. Inst. Fam., Plann., 12 Da
Hui Si, Hai Dian District, Beijing; 2Beijing Normal University, Beijing, PR China
Objectives: To understand the attitudes and knowledge on AIDS and condom
among University students and to find out the feasibility to implement AIDS
prevention program in University.
Design: Descriptive epidemiological study
Methods: Anonymous self-administered questionnaires in 4 Universities in
Beijing, P.R. China.
Results: A total of 573 questionnaires was valid among 600 students. Valid
respondent rate was 95.5%. Male accounted for 48.3%, female was 51.7%. The
specialities mainly included 4 large categories: Science and Engineering, Liberal
Arts and History, Biology as well as Medicine. Only 29.3% said that they had
known about more AIDS, most knew little about AIDS (e.g. 47.1% knew that men
having anus sex could easily contract AIDS. Near half had never considered that
AIDS could infect himself. 67.4% thought that condom could effectively prevent
pregnancy, but only 48.9% considered that condom could effectively prevent
STDs, and 42.9% considered that condom could effectively prevent AIDS. Particularly, among female students, only 37.2% (and 32.4%) considered that condom
could effectively prevent STDs (AIDS) respectively. Among those medical students, more than 30% did not know that condom could effectively prevent STDs
(AIDS). 70.0% wanted to know about more knowledge of AIDS. 84.1% thought it
is very necessary to lecture on AIDS in University.
Conclusion: Chinese university students generally lack the knowledge of AIDS
and condom, particularly among female students. It is urgent necessary to educate medical students about basic knowledge of AIDS prevention. It is feasible to
spread AIDS knowledge among all college students.