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

12th World AIDS Conference

Abstracts 14333-14337 249

14333 Youth sexuality study for behaviour change interventions
for AIDS/HIV in College Youth, Pune, India
Nita Mawar1, S.P. Tripathy1, J.K. John2, S.K. Sinha3, S.Y. Quaraishi4, R. Bagul1,
D.A. Gadkari1. 'National AIDS Research Institute (ICMR) 73G MIDC BIE
PB1895 Pune A 11026; 2Christian Medical College, Vellore, TN; 3MIN Human
Resource Development GOI, New Delhi, ND; 4 Government of India Haryana,
Chandigarh, India
Objectives: The present study aims to understand youth sexual behaviour and
possible risks to AIDS/HIV to address "KAP GAP": knowledge, attitude and
practice gap to plan sustainable interventions from emic perspectives.
Methods: Under-graduates from 6 co-ed. colleges of Pune (rural/semi-rural/urban) were covered using qualitative (Focus Group Discussions:
69, In-depth Interviews: 152) and quantitative methods (survey: 996 girls & 825
boys) focussing on sexuality, perception of risk etc. Anonymity was assured and
maintained throughout the study.
Results: AIDS awareness is observed to be high in youth. Both boys and girls
interact with each other: ranging from social, emotional, professional to physical
and sexual relationships. Sexual experience was reported by only 4.4% (40) girls
and one third boys (270); 306 girls and 155 boys reported not experiencing sex,
rest did not respond to this query. Amongst those reporting, age at first sexual
experience in girls was at 16.1 yrs ~ 2.9 (n = 40); for boys it was at 16.9 yrs
~ 2.3 (n = 269). Heterosexual experience was reported by 37% boys (184/501)
and 12% girls (29/252) ranging from non-penetrative (kissing, genital fondling,
mutual masturbation etc) to penetrative sex in both except oral sex only in boys.
Sex with CSWs was reported by 4% (23/499) boys. Mean number of partners
in boys is: 2.9 ~ 2.6 (n = 104) and in girls, range is 1-3 (n = 11). Homosexual
experience was reported by 15% boys (77/501) and 5% girls (13/252). Only one
third (79/213) reported condom use and one fifth (42/213) its consistent use. HIV
infection as a factor for choosing partner was of concern to most girls and boys
(90% & 86% resp.). Most did not perceive of risk to HIV except 5% (45/944) girls
& 7% (56/794) boys. Knowledge of STDs is limited; 48/470 boys & 6/570 girls
reported a STD in last one year, only few consulted a doctor. The youth expressed
a need for interactive communication on reproductive health issues be available
in their colleges for clarification of their doubts and worries.
Conclusions: It is of major concern that despite adequate knowledge of AIDS,
youth reported risky behaviour. AIDS awareness needs to be integrated with youth
programmes involving both boys and girls where sexuality, gender relationships
are openly discussed along with reproductive health matters and responsible safe
behaviour. Participatory approaches like workshops for information dissemination
through peer leaders representing both genders be planned for youth enabling
democratic and responsible decision making by both, boys and girls.
143341 Lessons learned from sexual health training of youth in
HIV/AIDS prevention in Vietnam
Hai Le Ngoc. 2 Phung Khac Khoan Ho Chi Ming City, District 1, Vietnam
Issues: Method of training in HIV/AIDS prevention to change youth's behaviours
is very important that influences the success of training.
Project: Sexual health education through file skills approach is the key component of the HIV/AIDS prevention project that has been implementing by the
Vietnam Red Cross for out of school youth funded by UNICEF Vietnam. During
one year and a half, the project has basically achieved its plan of training in its
project provinces in which many lessons learned from the training courses.
Result: This community-based activity has reached 2,500 youth across the
country, both urban and remote areas.
Lessons Learned: Cultural barrier (such as shyness in discussions among
young girls) may be a problem in the process of training and if it is not well
prepared. Gender balance, environment of the course and the qualification and
attitudes of trainers... are most significant factors have definitely influenced the
success of training.
14335 Mothers role as primary providers of sexual education
within the family
Muadi Ado Tshibambe1, Safi Valy Elonga3, Kiki Mulanga3, Gradi Kabamba2,
Bethy Mbuyi Nkashama2. 'Maduda No 89 Q/Makelele Bandalungwa;
2Assistance Aux Orphelins (ASO) Kinshasa; 3Project Sida/Esenaf Kinshasa,
Congo/Kinshasa
Objectives: Since sexual behavior is a subject rarely discussed in our society,
our objective is to break this taboo between mother and children
Methods: visit to the family, explain them the purpose of our visit, dialogue.
200 women have been trained to talk their children about sexuality, STD, AIDS
and how to prevent them about diseases. 15% mothers accepted to talk freely
with their children, 80% wished the presence of ASO'S member to give rise to
discussion 5% refused because of cultural behavior.
Results: After one year folow-up period the evaluation perfomed among all
families revealed that 485 children (12-20 years) had been involved in the study.

10% of children received information directly from their mothers, while 80% attested to be satisfied by the dialogue set up between them and their mothers after
ASO's introduction, 5% have never talked with their mothers about sexuality.
Conclusion: The founding of communication and dialogue in families by mothers helps children to get a better and faster comprehension of sexuality, STD,
and AIDS problems

14336 Sexuality education needs: Results from focus groups
with seventh graders in Puerto Rico
Ineke Cunningham1, M.C. Ramirez-Sola1, A.L. Verdejo-Carrion1,
J. Carbajosa-Garcia1, B. Falcon-Mulero1, M.C. Rivera-Saldanal, V.A. Cargill2.
SHIV Reasearch Center, Un. of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, PO Box
23345, San Juan, Puerto Rico; 2Project Samm/Case Western Un. Medi. Schl.,
Cleveland, USA
Objectives: A holistic sexuality educational intervention which includes bio-psycho-social as well as cultural components could be very effective in helping to
decrease Puerto Rico's high incidence of AIDS and teenage pregnancy. In order
to develop such an intervention, assessing students' knowledge and attitudes
about HIV/AIDS, gender roles, self esteem, and communication and decision
skills is a necessary preliminary step.
Methods: Six focus groups (each with 6 to 10 participants) were conducted
with 55 seventh graders (ages 11-15) in two public schools in San Juan, Puerto
Rico: 2 with girls, 2 with boys and 2 mixed. The same question guide was used
in all groups.
Results: There are significant differences between boys and girls regarding
sexuality, sexual behavior and gender roles: (1) Most boys are eager to have sex
to prove they are men, and most expect to have sexual intercourse. Most girls
fear that they will become pregnant, and they perceive sexuality in a negative
way. (2) Most boys perceive gender roles in a traditional way such as, "men
should be the head of household" and, "women should procreate." The majority
of girls live by this tradition, but they are seeking more egalitarian roles. Boys and
girls share the following characteristics: (1) Both express fears about HIV and
STD infections, but they seem not to have much information about how a person
becomes infected nor how one can protect oneself. They also worry about unwanted pregnancies and how to prevent them. (2) Both express embarrassment
and anxiety when talking about sexuality. (3) They worry about when they are
expected to be sexually active.
Conclusions: Seventh graders frequently perceive sexuality as something
negative and fragmentary, which makes it necessary that they acquire an integral
vision of sexuality in human relationships. Information about HIV and STD transmission and prevention are needed and more emphasis should be given to such
themes as assertive communication skills and altering traditional gender roles.
S14337 Quality of life assessment of HIV-infected patients with
MOS-SF36
Jacques Pouchot, A. Persoz, A. Leplege, L. Meyer. Inserm U292 H6pital De
Bicetre, 82 Rue Du Gal Leclerc 94276 Kremlin Bicetre, France
Background: HIV infection is now being considered as a chronic disease and
quality of life (QoL) assessment is therefore of primary importance. The objectives were to assess the QoL of HIV-infected individuals enrolled in the French
SEROCO cohort with MOS-SF36, and to examine the psychometric properties of
SF36 in this study population.
Methods: 222 HIV-infected individuals completed the MOS-SF36 (36 items, 8
scales) at entry in the study (DO), 15 days later (D15), and every 6 months. Descriptive analysis of QoL data obtained at DO and some psychometric properties
of the MOS-SF36 are presented here.
Results: Psychometric properties of the MOS-SF36 seem maintained in the
context of an HIV-infected population. Reliability of the 8 scales appreciated by the
test-retest between DO and D15 was moderate to good with intraclass correlation
coefficients ranging between 0.64 and 0.86. Internal consistency was good for the
8 scales with Cronbach's coefficients ranging between 0.80 and 0.94. Construct
validity appreciated by a component analysis revealed a preserved structure with
the 8 scales loading on 6 main axis.

Mean scores at JO < 35y > 35y IP IP+
(99) (123) (133) (89) (113)
Physical functioning 90.9 81.0 88.2 81.2
Role physical 82.6 79.1 85.9 72.7
Pain 79.8 76.7 81.0 73.7
Social functioning 69.1 74.4 75.9 66.2
Mental health 59.0 63.5 61.2 62.0
Role emotional 68.7 71.3 75.2 62.5
Vitality 59.6 54.4 59.2 53.0
General health 58.5 56.9 62.0 51.1

=200 CD4 < 200 CD4 Stage C- Stage CH
(109) (181) (41)
90.4 80.1 87.2 77.0
85.4 75.7 83.5 68.3
81.7 74.3 79.8 70.5
75.6 68.3 73.6 64.9
60.2 58.3 62.1 58.9
74.6 65.4 71.8 62.6
60.2 53.2 57.5 53.4
62.1 60.9 59.7 48.9

Scores may range from 0 (worse health status) to 100 (excellent health status). Mean scores
of several scales were significantly different (*: p < 0.05) according to HIV progression (CD4 -
200/mm3, stage C, treatment with inhibitors of protease [IP]) and age.
Conclusions: Use of a generic heath status instrument such as the MOS-SF36
is appropriate in HIV-infected populations. These preliminary results give additional informations regarding the consequence of the disease in different health
status components and may help to compare disease outcome related to patients'
characteristics.