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

12th World AIDS Conference

Abstracts 13537-13542 193

Conclusion: This study has shown that freshmen are inadequately informed
in HIV transmission. Thus, they need a special course on HIV/AIDS prevention to
be integrated in the curriculum to prepare them in their community involvement
programs. They should not isolate the HIV client, but the virus.
S13537 Barriers to effective STD/AIDS education among
corpus-based adolescents
Romeo Lee. Behavioral Sciences De La Salle Univ Taft Avenue Manila,
Philippines
Objective: To identify and examine factors and conditions that hinder the effective implementation of STD/AIDS prevention among unmarried adolescents in the
campuses.
Design: Qualitative study of an STD/AIDS education undertaken by a youth
organization.
Methods: Key informant interviews and focus group discussions in five university campuses. Conducted were interviews with university authorities, counselors
and teachers; and discussions with university students aged 16-20. Analyses
of existing findings from large-scale surveys and qualitative studies were also
accomplished.
Results: Across several indicators of sexual activity and STD preventive behaviour among considerable numbers of single adolescents, there are varied contexts in which sexual risks including STD and HIV infection may be experienced.
Recognizing the risks faced by the youth, pertinent sectors have recommended
the introduction of STD/AIDS education in the campuses. However, there are
impediments - some of which are serious - to the effective implementation of this
effort.
Conclusion: The implementation of campus-based STD/AIDS education will
be hampered by sociocultural, psychological and structural barriers which - if
remained unaddressed - will leave many Filipino adolescents not fully and accurately informed of STD/AIDS; and thus placing them (currently or potentially) at
risk of infection. It is advised that when undertaking AIDS education, pertinent
efforts need to consider these barriers.
13538 Awareness of AIDS prevention among secondary
schools population
Zdenek Kurka', Dontova2. 1Havelska 29 PRAHA 1 11000; 2Credum Praha,
Czech Republic
Issue: Testing of general level of awareness and information about HIV/AIDS
and ways of prevention among vulnerable population of teenagers, students of
secondary schools.
Project: Given to important political, economic and social changes in post communist countries including Czech republic and opening of borders there is a sort
of sexual revolution accompanied by a rapid increase of drugs trade (transition
country mainly) and consequently drugs consumption. Most in danger seems to
be young generation, especially teenagers. As so far any sexual education at
schools was practically missing Credum formed a group of educators, lecturers
including PLHA to disseminate basic information about HIV prevention and all
AIDS related issues. Project has been implemented since 2 years throughout the
country in collaboration with epidemiological service in each district. Using a sort
of questionnaire before every lecture general knowledge and information level
about the problem was tested and so far sexual experience.
Results: Surprisingly overall knowledge among students-teenagers was very
good, 80% can be classified as very well informed, 15% average information, 5%
not interested in the problem so far. However we have found out that in practice
they feel often embarrassed to talk about it, use condom etc.
Lesson Learned: To increase level of awareness about AIDS among that very
vulnerable population and really reach them so that they change their way of
thinking and behavior it is necessary to perform information, education campaign
on different levels, using media and more sophisticated methods and to do it
repeatedly.
f-3539 The state of art of AIDS prevention programs in Brazilian
public schools network
Teresinha Pinto1, R. Nicolosi2, L. Guirao, Jr.2. 1Al Ribeirao Preto 86 APTO 34,
CEP 01331-000, Sao Paulo, SP; 2APTA, Sao Paulo, SFP, Brazil
Issue: The vulnerability of children and teenagers to HIV transmission, the high
number of infected children in Brazil and the age of the ones who are studying
in public schools, demand a governmental policy to develop AIDS prevention
and integration of seropositive children and teenagers programs in public schools
network.
Project: Through a research among authorities of public education network in
Brazilian cities and states, we intended to: 1) chart the existence and strategies of
AIDS prevention programs developed at public schools, their target public, spread
and methods; 2) connect the known number of seropositive students in school
network with the existence or not of AIDS programs; 3) the effective participation

of NGOs in AIDS prevention programs in schools.
Results: The research reached 90% of the whole public school network. The
information assessed through interviews and surveys were: 1) only 19.6% of
the cities schools and 34.6% of state schools assessed have AIDS prevention
programs; 2) on 23.7% of the cities, their authorities reported the existence of
seropositive students, but they do not develop any AIDS prevention programs in

their public schools; 3) the Brazilian area which has the higher epidemic rates
has lower number of programs in their cities.
Lessons Learned: There is not a link between states and cities public policies
for AIDS prevention in public school network. The number of AIDS prevention
and seropositive students integration programs are insufficient and Brazilian government needs to develop a large public educational policy for AIDS prevention
in schools. This research may help educators and authorities to allocate financial
and human resources to develop and apply AIDS programs in schools.
113540 A healthy perspective towards sex and sexuality among
adolescents
Priya Rebecca T. P. Thankachen, S. Sankaran, N. Rajendran. DESH, 3
De-monte Colony, TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 600018, India
Objective: Assesing the change facilitated by DESH in development of a healthy
attitude towards sex and sexuality.
Introduction: Adolescents are faced with a range of behaviour choices some
of which are of high risk and coloured with a lot of myths and misconceptions.
Through sex education DESH aims at chanellising one's tremendous sexual
energy by imparting a healthy understanding of responsible sexual behaviour.
Methodology: Four educational institutions were chosen using a non-probability convenient sampling. A pre and post programme questionaire was administered to all students addressed. The intervention package creates awareness on
anatomy and reproductive processes. Furthermore it dispels myths and misconceptions on issues of sex, and develops skills in resisting peer pressure.
Results: The general awareness on various concepts of sex increased. Myths
and misconceptions were clarified. However, confidence level of protecting oneself from HIV infection through sex had decreased.
Concept Pre Post
Masturbation healthy 36% 69%
Menstruation natural 71% 84%
Multi partner sex - high risk 83% 91%
Concept Pre Post
Wet dreams normal 44% 79%
Premarital sex - high risk 78% 82%
*Confidence in protecting oneself from AIDS - by sex 46% 43%
Lessons Learned: Even though DESH has facilitated the thinking process,
the respondents while personalising the problem realise that they do not have
a control on the extraneous variable which brings down their *confidence level.
Thus DESH would have to conduct more purposive sessions on the same issue
not only for the adolescents but also for their teachers and parents since any
social change would be effective only if the process begins at home and school.
13541 STD, HIV/AIDS intervention among school youth on the
Copperbelt province, Zambia (1997)
Edward Mupotola. Copperbelt Health Education Project. PO Box 23567, Kitwe,
Zambia
Issue: School youth becoming more and more susceptible to HIV/AIDS require
innovative appropriate and friendly intervention and awareness
Project: Given the increase in number of STI's and pregnancies among school
youth an intervention bordering on the target group's input was developed.
Teachers from 45 secondary and basic schools were identified and trained in
peer and enter education. In turn the trained teachers formed or strengthened
anti-AIDS/debate or music clubs besides training club members. We ran debates, drama, quiz and talent show programmes with youth in 45 schools. The
programme facilitated peer to peer HIV/AIDS, STDs, pregnancy education and
counselling among youth
Results: The debate, drama, quiz and talent show (DDQT) programme has
been well recieved by youth. Between February and November 1997 we held 35
DDQT activities in copperbelt province. Many youths were educated on important
issues affecting them mostly by other youth. Schools recorded an increase in
number of pupils seeking counselling services and visiting STD clinics.
Peer Education: (DDQT) Programmes in copperbelt schools are potentially
successful if they are youth specific and friendly and involve youth handy persons
in designing and implementing programmes.
1 13542 1 HIV/AIDS education in the school system: Project in
Gujarat, India
Renu D. Seth', D.S. Shodhan2, R.D. Bhattacharya3. ' GAP B/02, Siddha Chakra
Apts., Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad-380 006; 2Facilitator Ahmedabad; 3Director
Ahmedabad, India
Objective: Many studeies have revealed that proper information and education
on STDs and sex have reduced the infection rate and unwanted pregnancies.

The project has been taken to instill responsible behaviour in the adolescents in
respect to sexual behaviour and life style, at the formative years.
Design: Participatory 4 day training sessions for teachers and 3 hour session
divided into 2days for students.
Method: As a first step in this project, a sensitization workshop for Principals
of 20 schools was organized, where the need for training for the teachers on