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

458 Abstracts 23580-23585

12th World AIDS Conference

Tuberculosis and 1 case AIDS. Guidance, information and condom distribution
work was initiated.
Lessons Learned: To work with Indians, one must first of all know very deeply
the specific community way of life and culture, to establish links of confidence
and to make joint decisions.
[23580 Social and sexual networks of indonesian migrant
workers in Malaysia
Irene Fernandez1, Sharuna S.V. Verghis1, Aegile A.F. Fernandez', Ivan
I.W. Wolfers2, Walter W.D. De Ville2. 1Caram-Asia, 11th Floor, Wisma Yakin,
Jalan Masjid India, 50100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 2Caram-Asia, Amsterdam,
Holland
Objectives: (The social and legal status of Indonesian migrants is very different from that of other migrants. While many of them are given citizenship, or
permanent resident status, there are also a high number of undocumented workers. They tend to live in communities or kongsis. They have developed some
unique social and sexual networks in the process). TO EXAMINE social & sexual
networks developed by Indonesian migrants.
Methods: Participative research focusing on the knowledge and attitudes and
practices of Indonesian migrants with regards to HIV/AIDS, and sexual and social
and sexual networks were studied using a questionnaire, focus group discussions,
group discussions, informal interviews, observations.
Results: Indonesian migrants tend to form unique social and sexual networks
which put them at risk to contracting the HIV infection. Their high number of
undocumented or "hidden" numbers only aggravtes their vulnerability Their undocumented status also reduces their accessibility to health care services which
can become a co-factor in increasing their HIV vulnerability in the light of the
social and sexual networks developed by them. Indonesian migrants also have
a poor knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Pre departure programs in Indonesia even if
theyexist do not cover the issue of HIV/AIDS. many believed that condom use
was against their religion.
Understanding social and sexual networks is very crucial to comprehending the
dynamics and processes of the HIV epidemic. With special populations who live in
sensitive situations, it is imperative that innovative methodoligies are developed
and used.
23581 AIDS education in remote areas of the amazon region in
Brazil
Aparecida Spineli1, Ivo Brito2, M.C.P. Oliveira2, A.L. Spneli2. 1Espl. Ministerios
Ministerio Da Saude BL-G 111 Brasilia DF 70058-900; 2Brazilian AIDS and STD
Program, Brasilia DF, Brazil
Issues: HIV/AIDS is spreading rapidly to remote rural areas in the Amazon where
place mining occurs. This population has little access to health and information
services. The deprivation of family's life that they are exposed stimulates the
practice of unsafe behaviors.
Project: A Health Education Program was established in 1996 to provide accurate information to place miners, to promote change of behavior and reduce
STD and HIV infections. A set of ten projects reaching approximately 28.500
people in 04 states in the Amazon Region, in partnership with NGO and local
governments, promote peer education, campaigns and booklets with involvement
of local people. An educational radio program using appropriate cultural language
and known personalities was created to facilitate the populations identity and
establishment of rapport.
Results: Places where the Program was established became a reference
which facilitated the access to the health services for STD treatments and condoms distribution. Women's group were established and provided the opportunity
to learn about safer sex practices including condoms negotiating skills. Fifteen
educational radio programs were broadcaster in all states of the Amazon Region.
Lessons Learned: Health education programs in remote areas are potentially
successful when local people are involved as educators and when it uses the
regional language.
23582 | High risk sexual behavior related to HIV infection among
women working in entertainment services in southern
Vietnam
Thanh Thuy Nguyen Thi1, X.H. Nguyen2, T.T. Tran2, T.T.N. Vo1, P.H. Tran1,
B.K. Ha1. ' Pasteur Institute in Hochi Minh City 167 Pasteur Ho Chi Minh City;
2Center for Preventive Medicine Vung Tau, Vietnam
Background: We evaluated the prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted
diseases (STD) and determinants of risk sexual behavior in women working for
services such as bars, and massage parlors, etc.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 500 subjects randomly
selected from these services, at a tourist city, during a period of 2 months in late
1996, by a face-to-face interview and serological testing.

Results: HIV seroprevalence was found in 0.4% (W. Blot) of the subjects,
treponemal seroprevalence in 4.2% (TPHA) and HbS Ag prevalence (ELISA) in
10.6%. Among the 266 women who reported sex in the past year, 70% had nonregular sex (defined as a relationship lasting <12 months), 46% had more than
one sexual partner. In addition, a history of an STD was observed more commonly
(p < 0.05) in women who had first sexual intercourse at <17 yrs. (40.7% versus
22.3%), women with non-regular sex (42.8% versus 13.4%) and women with >5

sexual partners in the past year (42.8% versus 21.7%). Treponemal seropositivity
was more likely to be detected in women with non-regular sex (7% versus 1.2%).
The multivariate analysis showed that first sexual intercourse at <17 yrs., working
at beer, wine or coffee bars, working for less than 6 months, high monthly income
>100 USD, and a history of an STD were significantly related to non-regular sex
(OR = 7.9; 4.9; 4.1; 2.5; and 3.2 respectively). Predictors of a large number of
partners (>5) were unmarried status and employment at beer or coffee bars (OR
= 4; 9 respectively). Furthermore, a large number of partners was also associated
with high income of study women, and drinking status or age <40 yrs. of their
clients (OR = 7.6; 5 respectively). Inconsistent condom use rate was 35.2%
among women with non-regular sex or more than one sexual partner.
Conclusion: Socio-economic and demographic conditions and some behaviors such as early first intercourse, unmarried status, young age, low schooling
level, employment at bars, drinking status and young age of clients were shown to
be powerful determinants of high risk sexual behaviors for HIV/STD transmission.
Non-regular sex and large numbers of sexual partners were identified as risks
factors for STDs. Condom use in women with sexual risk of HIV/STD should be
monitored and improved by intervention measures on HIV/STDs.
S23583 A knowledge, attitude, behavior and perception (KABP)
of first time departing Filipino migrant workers
Sahlee Bugna. 41 Maginhawa St., UP Village, Quezon City, Philippines
Objective: To determine the level of knowledge of AIDS, attitude towards PWAs,
as well as behavior and perceptions of migrant workers departing the Phils. for
the first time which might put them at risk of HIV/AIDS.
Design: Survey with guided interviews
Method: We surveyed 450 migrant workers, including domestic helpers, entertainers, seafarers and professionals. Respondents were controlled by gender
and job category. They were interviewed on reasons for working abroad, access
to health services, job characteristics, knowledge of HIV/AIDS, Condom use and
sexual behavior. Key informant interviews were also conducted.
Results: The demographics of migrant workers in the Phils. are changing.
They are now younger, there are more women, single, with higher education and
w/. no prior work experience. There is very high knowledge of HIV/AIDS, but
behavior and perception may put them at risk of the disease.
Lessons Learned: More effort should now be put into changing sexual behavior
which may protect/prevent migrant workers from getting HIV/AIDS.
23584 Prostitution - HIV/AIDS - Profitable activities
Ekotto Voundi nee Abenyindi1, Shadrack Tah Massa2, Edmond Najikei1,
Leopold Zekend4, Pierre Koung a Bepe5. Ministry of Public Health, Cellule of
Communication, Yaounde; 2Coordinator at Care Project, Bp. 26, Bertoua;
3University Health Center, Yaounde; 4Association Anis de la Prudence,
Yaounde, Caneroon
Objectives: Initiate sex workers to small profitable activities in order to reduce
their sexual activities (seronegatives) and to encourage them to live a positive
and active life (seropositives).
Design: Control study with another target group
Methods: By checking sex workers in bars, hotels, streets of Yaounde, we
succeeded in regrouping about 20 of them who accepted to be trained as health
educators leaders so as to sensitise their friends and the population in general
on the prevention of STDS/HIV. After this they sensitised on the correct use of
condoms and the necessity for them to regularly have laboratory exams for STDSHIV test. All the seropositives where taken care of and followed by counsellors
and doctors. To encourage a positive life to the seropositves, we taught the sex
workers how to make money themselves by doing small commercial works such
as dying of clothes, small trading, fish smoking!!! This activities help them to take
care of themselves and their families.
Results: This following statistics were recorded
99% of sex workers and their sex partners know the condom and methods
of prevention of STDS/AIDS - more than 92% use it at least once - 36% of
seropositives know to live positive life - 28% of the sex workers are doing small
profitable jobs.
Conclusion: To reduce the propagation of HIV/AIDS and yearly death due to
ignorance we must give the population right, corect and simple information and
take care of infected persons by teaching them how to be conscious of their own
role in their new situation.
|23585 | Personal counselling: A strong intervention to HIV/AIDS
transmission for sex worker, immigrant and refugees
Kouassi Emile Djamla1, J.C.K. Kamokai Camara2, T.J.K. Kamokai Johnson2.
SCroix-Rouge Cote Dijvoire Abidjan-Cocody 01 Cote, Dijvoire; 2Redcross
Society Free-Town, Sierria Leone
Issue: Special populations expose to HIV/AIDS through regular sexual inter
course either Commercially or Situationel Circonstances needs adequate and
quick intervention through personal counselling programme to forestall the rapid
transmission of HIV/AIDS.
Project: The HIV/AIDS awarness programme currently running in Abidjan was
found to be of little effect because of the rapid increase in the number of sex
workers, immigrates and refugees. In this of this programme based on a personal
counselling was set up to really get at each of these set people individually. The