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

12th World AIDS Conference

Abstracts 33470-33474 683

and WM were similar in distribution of these articles across content categories:
AIDS human interest (41% WM, 51% AAM), AIDS information (25% WM, 27%
AAM) and sexual risk behavior (25% WM, 20% AAM). However, of the sexual risk behavior articles, none of those in AAM addressed HIV and teens or
child/teen sexuality discussions (compared with 88% in WM); 100% of those in
AAM addressed adult sexual risk behavior (compared with only 12% in WM). Most
PM articles were in the sexual risk behavior category (57% child/teen sexuality
discussions, 12% HIV and teens). Many were brief, but some gave detailed HIV
information and guidance for parent-child discussions; risk factors for gay teens
were rarely covered.
Conclusions: Popular magazine articles can and have provided parents with
detailed HIV information and guidance for discussing risk and protective behavior
with their children. However, their infrequency suggests that this media is an
underused prevention resource. Moreover, if African American mothers are more
likely to read African American rather than general women's magazines and if risk
factors for gay teens are not being covered, the information may not be reaching
the parents of adolescents at highest risk.
33470 Building an HIV/AIDS information base in the developing
world: experiences from Uganda
Fred Odongkara1, K.M.R. Kindyomunda2. 'Uganda AIDS Commission PO. Box
10779, Kampala, Uganda AIDS Commission Kampala, Uganda
Issue: Relevant, accurate and timely information is one of the powerful tools used
in the fight against HIV/AIDS. However, such information is not always organised
and available for users at international, national, district and lower levels in most
of the developing countries.
Project: To establish an organised system of HIV/AIDS information delivery,
the National AIDS Documentation and Information Centre, NADIC was set up
with the main objective of collecting, processing, storing, packaging and disseminating information to all partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS within the country
and beyond. NADIC has availed HIV/AIDS related information through its library,
Audio-visual section and database section.
Results: NADIC is now physically contacted on average by 10 users a day
and several others are reached through packaging and distribution of information
through a network of partners to the grassroot communities. The centre serves
as an information link between the different partners and the public who in turn
deposit their generated information voluntarily. NADIC has also been nominated
by the Pan African Network of HIV/AIDS Documentation Centres to assume a
regional role in HIV/AIDS information sharing and exchange in Eastern Africa.
Lessons Learned: An organised system of information delivery can promote
information collection, use and sharing. A central facility ensures easy and quick
access to all available information for users.
33471 Outlining of a new IEC strategy for Tanzania
Stefan Hanson1, L. Lengaki2, S. Ngahyoma2, M. Nyang'anyi2, R. Swai2. 1c/o EU
P.O. Box 9514 Dar-Es-Salaam; 2NACP Ministry of Health Dar Es Salaam,
Tanzania
Issues: In spite of almost complete knowledge in the population of how HIV is
transmitted and prevented there is little proof of behavioural change. A consultant
reviewed past and existing IEC activities and a workshop of national experts was
convened to discuss the findings and the proposal on future IEC strategies. The
objectives were: 1. To outline a new communication strategy. 2. To propose an
organization and a mechanism for coordination. 3. To propose a methodology to
monitor and evaluate IEC activities.
Method: After presentation of the consultancy report and accounts of the main
IEC actors followed by reports from partly neglected areas such as Women
and AIDS, Youth and AIDS and AIDS and reproductive health, the participants
were split into three groups to discuss communication strategy, coordination and
monitoring.
Results: The groups recommended: 1. The NAC IEC committee to be the coordinating body of activities, strengthened with communication experts. 2. District
situation analyses to identify resources, high transmission areas and high risk
groups should be made, followed by prioriterization of activities and target groups.
3. There should be a balanced media mix. Radio was judged to be the best of the
big media. In the small media stress should be on drama combined with discussion, peer education + leaflets and patient education + simple reading material.
4. Messages should be adapted to the Tanzania situation and for activities at the
community level be developed in cooperation with the community. Youth should
be focused. 5. IEC activities design should include monitoring; indicators were
identified and the use of national surveys for monitoring of behaviours change,
sentinel surveillance at regional level and RAP at district level and below was
proposed.
Lessons Learned: The interchange of experience of mainly national experts
from different disciplines in a 2 1/2 day workshop can be a highly productive way
of addressing a public health problem. It however demands thorough preparations
and clearly defined tasks and objectives for the groupwork.

I33472 Audio-visual communication as an intervention in
preventing HIV spread: Experience from Uganda
Jane Frances Kanyunyuzi-Asaba1, Rosemary Kindyomunda Mwesigye2. 1P..
Box 10779, Kampala; 2Uganda AIDS Commission, Kampala, Uganda
Issue: Audio-visual communication is an effective intervention against HIV/AIDS
but it must be targeted and sensitive to prevailing cultural, religious and moral
norms.
Project: Audio-visual communication was identified as a key behavioural intervention by many partners in the struggle against HIV/AIDS. Audio-visual strategies
were used to disseminate information in various local languages. These include:
Focused Radio and TV Programs, interactive programs, life skills development
programs, theatre, drama competitions and involvement of people living with
HIV/AIDS.
Results: There has been a remarkable increase in awareness about HIV/AIDS
of up to 90% between 1992-1997. Correspondingly, there have been indications
of positive behavioural change as depicted by: Increased fidelity in marriages, delayed on-set of sexual debut among youth, adoption of safer sex methods, marked
decrease in HIV prevalence with an overall reduction of 27% 47%. Furthermore,
people are demanding for preventive and control services.
Lessons Learnt: Audio-visual communication has a significant positive impact
on reducing HIV spread. Broadcast media is particularly effective among populations with low literacy. It should however be used with sensitivity to prevailing
cultural, religious and moral norms.
139*/33473 Unlinked & anonymous counselling to the general
public through an interactive voice response
system (IVRS)
Kavita Chandhok, S. Sankaran, J.J. Meloot, P.R. Thankachen. DESH - 3,
D'monte Colony, TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai, India
Issue: There is a paucity of readily available appropriate information on HIV/AIDS
and counselling. Counselling centres are few. Telephone Counselling is accessible, can provide quality service while maintaining confidentiality.
Project: An IVRS, the first of its kind by an NGO for HIV/AIDS prevention in the
country, has been developed by DESH. IVRS is based on a simple voice card, PC
and menu driven options. Callers receive recorded information round the clock.
They also have the option to speak to a Counsellor. IVRS is user friendly and can
be used according to the callers convenience. IVRS is manned by Counsellors.
The speech package is based on commonly asked questions documented during
the course of our interventions and recorded in the voices of local cine celebrities.
Adequate publicity has been provided. IVRS has been operational since Oct 95
and is gaining momentum.
Results: (1) The system logged over 50,000 calls in 1996. Consistent high use
led to increase from two to four lines. In 1997 over 97,000 calls were logged.
(2) Referrals have been provided for one-to-one counselling, testing or treatment
sites, STD services and medical treatment. Case studies are documented. 12
cases were referred through IVRS for STD treatment/counselling. (3) Queries
received for personal counselling are broadly classified as below: -

Questions Asked On
HIV/AIDS
STDs
Sex and Sexuality
General

1995 1996
74% 50%
3% 5%
20% 41%
3% 4%

1997
49%
40
31%
2% (14% no response)

Lessons Learnt: High usage confirms popularity and the effectiveness of the
system providing up-to-date information. Queries during personal counselling indicate the issues to be addressed in our prevention/intervention programs. Hence
the IVRS is an effective means of communicating to a wide section of population
from all strata of society.
S33474 Setting up a quality Web site on the Internet at minimal
cost: A guide for ASOs based on experience
Debbie Lampon, D. Hirons. The Terrence Higgins Trust, 52-54 Grays Inn Rd,
London WC1X 8JU, England
Issues: AIDS Service Organisations often need to provide a range of materials
and information to a wide audience. This must often be achieved at low cost.
The Web provides this opportunity, with recent research revealing that over one
third of gay men in the UK have regular access to the technology (communication
with Sigma Research, 1997). The Terrence Higgins Trust launched its Web site in
August 1996 (http://www.tht.org.uk). The site has attracted over 20,000 visitors.
Many agencies, however, are unsure where to start, assume that a vast outlay for
external expertise is required and are not aware of what help may be available.
It will be useful therefore to have a guide which takes a step-by-step approach to
building and maintaining a Web Site written by an AIDS organisation with 2 years
direct experience.
Project: To review the development of The Terrence Higgins Trust Web site,
in order to produce a step-by-step guide for ASOs wishing to set up an effective
Web site at minimal cost.
Results: As a result of this project we have produced a basic guide for establishing and maintaining a Web site, available free of charge on-line and in paper
format.