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

12th World AIDS Conference

Abstracts 33481-33486 685

with evoking a response, based on their feelings and emotions to various issues.
Project: A newsletter called "Vizhippunarvu" in Tamil that will uphold principles
such as "being factual, non judgmental, non discriminatory and without creating
a sense of guilt" was begun to be published in 1993, December. It began to
talk about sex, sexuality and other important, hitherto unspoken/written issues
of HIV/AIDS, in an environment where people are reluctant to talk about these
issues. Through protection of privacy of individuals and providing positive information, this newsletter touched a circulation of 10,000 copies and a readership of
30,000 per month, eve month till date. It began evoking a sense of belonging and
precipitated a strong feeling that HIV was real and that we are living in a world
of AIDS. Without coercion and preaching it began to create a positive attitude
towards PLWH/A and offered scope for introspection for those who believed that
they are uninfected. The Newsletter was no just a source of information but a tool
that enabled examination of serf attitudes.
Results: Feelings having been evoked, based on the feelings the readers
wanted to commit themselves to work towards reducing the impact Of HIV in their
own communities. Many of them are in the threshold of committing themselves
to start doing something about prevention and support to those infected. The
testimony is that 1488 written responses from individual readers and 173 responses from NGOs within a year of publication. The responses from the readers
show that they received a clear idea about the spread of HIV/AIDS, preventive
measures and importance of safer sex, and a positive attitude towards PLWH/A.
Lessons learned: A newsletter can instill an initiative among the readers to
not only personalise the infection, have a positive attitude but to take a step
further in creating awareness to others about HIV/AIDS. People are ready to
respond singly and collectively. In responding collectively they are ready to mob
their communities and thereby become part of a positive collective community
mobilisation.
33481 HIV/AIDS preventive/awareness through popular drama
in secondary schools
Mwansa Esaya Bukanga. NDOLA Catholic Diocese (AIDS Department) Ndola,
Zambia
Issue: HIV/AIDS prevention in Secondary Schools demands participatory methodologies such as popular drama.
Project: The continuous increase of HIV/AIDS infection among the sexually
active youths mostly in schools called for an intervention that directly involves the
youths to be responsible and assertive in making positive decisions on HIV/AIDS
prevention. Training workshops for teachers and pupils facilitated the discussions.
Popular drama, appreciated for its participatory skills in identification, assessment
and analysis of root causes to a problem had worked well as a research tool for
AIDS related themes discussed by pupils, teachers and the public. Plays created
on the findings were performed during competitions and public evaluation at big
district market places, TV A and radio.
Results: Popular drama allowed positive and high public involvement to contribute positively. Since 1995; 40 AIDS related clubs, 1,700 pupils, 34 teachers
participated on average. 120 plays performed in 3 public competitions, 45 plays
performed during public evaluation and approximately 15,000 people are reached
annually. 3 TV plays and 13 series radio programme produced. Consultative meetings with parents and teachers recommended to a parent to child dialogue on
gender issues as related to HIV/AIDS. Every year pupils recommended a new
activity and theme.
Lesson Learned: Popular drama offers community entry and contact skills
that the youths in schools find approachable in asserting and dialoguing with the
public. In the process everybody learns to reflect on their lifestyles and critically
set options for behaviour change.
33482 Circumventing lack of clear cut policies on HIV/AIDS to
carry out behaviour change communication: "Jisimamie"
campaign in Nyanza, Kenya
Gordon Oduor Nyanjoom1, J.M. Mwongela2. Kenya-Belgium STD
Project/Nascop, P.O. Box 20781 Nairobi Kenya, 'National AIDS Control
Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
Issue: Nyanza Province is one of the regions hardest hit by HIV/AIDS in Kenya.
There are no clear cut policies from the government on how to carry out HIV/AIDS
education in Kenya yet.
Project: Due to the activities carried prevously by different government/Non-Governmental, church organisations levels of awareness on HIV/AIDS
were recorded to be high. The Kenya-Belgium STD Project, a collaborative effort between the governments of Belgium and Kenya, mounted a unique IEC
campaign aimed at influencing various benefiaciary audiences to change their
sexual behaviour. The aim was to have them adopt safer sexual habits for HIV
prevention using Information, Education and Communication.
Results: Messages and materials exploring practical issues of sexuality were
developed with the active involvement and participation of the beneficiary audiences. All these were launced under the now-famous title "Jisimamie" in October

1997. (Booklets, leaflets and posters developed). Initial feedback reports indicate
an overwhelming demand for the materials both within the project area and in
other regions of the country.
Lessons Learned: Even in the absence of clearly stated policies and guidelines
on HIV/AIDS prevention innovative strategies can go a long way in influencing
positive behaviour change.

33483 How do the PWAs and NAP+ leaders behave, and why?
Zigre Alexis Don. 08. BP 2458. Abidjan. 08, Ivory Coast
Objectives: - To promote the day to day activities of PWAs who live in Africa.
- To give a human face to the HIV virus (show the general public how close it
is to them).
Methodology: Direct (interviews) and indirect (observation of their immediate
environment) data-collection techniques for information on events in the lives
of PWAs, NGO movement leaders. The data is adapted into a screenplay that
recounts their stories and highlights major life events. The PWA leader is to
perform in his/her personal role as are family, friends, and colleagues who wish
to do so. Each selected individual's bio is made into a 26-minute video film.
Results: - 6 short films (3 featuring French-speakers, 3 featuring Englishspeakers) available, by June 1998, for broadcast on African national televisions;
- pedagogical tools for National AIDS Control Programs discussion groups.
Lessons Learned: An educational series on living with HIV and comittment
to the community. A tribute to PWAs, African leaders in the fight against AIDS
and a message of hope. A pedagogical tool for extension work and prevention
campaigns.
33484 AIDS prevention information on the Internet in East Asian
languages - Chinese, Japanese and Korean
Eileen Moy', Y. Kim2, K. Chu', L. Henderson1, S. Hu3, Y.F.G. Chai1,
P.H.P. Yeh'. Humboldt State University, Dept. of Computing Sceinces, Arcata.
Calif.; 2Dept. of Mathematics, Humboldt State Univ., Arcata, CA; 3Dept. of
Psychology, Humbolt State Univ., Arcata, CA, US
Issue: There is a growing need for information on AIDS prevention in East Asian
languages as the AIDS epidemic moves into Asia. Currently, misconceptions
about HIV/AIDS are widespread.
Project: The Humboldt AIDS Information Server created information on AIDS
prevention in three Asian languages. We used attractive fonts and graphics to
enliven the presentation.
Results: Information on AIDS prevention in East Asian languages has been
well-received. Because of the increasing mobility of Asian populations, we found
this information to be useful outside of Asia as well.
Lessons Learned: The Internet is a growing medium of communication in East
Asia and the Pacific Rim, and could become an effective tool for dissemination of
information on AIDS as well as general health issues.
S33485 STD/AIDS prevention on manifestations of popular
culture
Marco Teobaldo, M.C. Pimenta. Esplanada Dos Ministerios Bloco G Sala, 127
DF, Brazil
Issue: Difusing information on how to prevent HIV infection and AIDS and sensibilizing the population for the correct use of condoms in sexual intercourse, is
essential as a preventive method for the control of the epidemic. Brazil is a very
large country with 156 million people and a mixture of several cultures.
Project: a) identification and selection of the most significant manifestations of
popular culture all over de country, bearing special attention to regional particularities. Based on evaluation criteria related to the extent of vulnerability attaining the
layer of population involved, the project has prioritizes on cultural manifestations
that have a specific potential for the realization of interventions. Among others,
one must stress the following criteria: the number of people attending the event;
the age of people involved, which should range from 15 to 39; identification
between targeted public and artists that participated in the planned activities.
b) During the events, distribution of interventional material created and produced with some information and messages focused on prevention. Advertising
materials, blimps, fans, t-shirts and condom-holders have been produced. The
intervention work encompassed also the dissemination of direct and meaningful
slogans by folk-related groups, musicians, artists and some other country-widely
known personalities.
Results: Twelve interventions in four events were held, attending 2,350,000
people; distributed 260.000 units of informative material; included the STD/AIDS
Program/Ministry of Health label and signature in 20.000 advertisement pieces;
vehiculated STD/AIDS prevention messages in TV programs and intern-circuit
live programs.
Lessons Learned: Cultural aspects must be attentively considered during not
only the elaboration of prevention messages but also for the creation of products
aiming at intervention adequate to each popular manifestation.
S33486 AIDS: Learning to live - a radio project in Russia
Maria Kouzmina'1, A. Allakhverdov2, N.A. Neozelski3, I.V. Savelieva3. P.O. Box
130 Moscow 113303; 2B.BC MPM Moscow: 3The Russian Names Fund
Moscow, Russia

Issue: With the growing number of people affected, AIDS is still perceived by
many Russians as a marginal medical problem.
Project: AIDS: Learning to Live Project implemented jointly by the Russian
NAMES Fund and BBC-Moscow Service combined songs by popular Russian
performers and AIDS awareness messages presented by medical workers, NGO
activists, people living with HIV, and people from vulnerable communities. The
recording was distributed on CD to various radio stations in Russian cities to be