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

688 Abstracts 33497-33501

12th World AIDS Conference

33497 AIDS education broadcaster's manual
Gerardo Trillana1, I.F.F. Fonacier-Fellizar2. 1618 Jose Abad Santos Drive Little
Baguio San Juan 1500 Manila; 2Interventions for Freedom and the Future San
Juan 1500, Philippines
Issue: Radio can be a powerful tool in raising the awareness of people regarding
HIV/AIDS. Crucial to this is the knowledge of the person who will deliver the
information.
Project: As part of the 1997 World AIDS Campaign, three radio programs (2 in
an AM band, I in an FM band) were tapped to create a segment which featured
discussions on the different issues regarding the disease. To help broadcasters
in tackling said issues, a manual for their use was developed.
A Broadcasters Manual (BM) is a day-to-day information and discussion guide
specifically designed for the daily programming of radio announcers. Each page
of the BM has a short but very interesting message on HIV and AIDS. The host
reads and discusses a particular AIDS issue and encourage the public to call an
AIDS Hotline number to learn more about AIDS.
Results: A Broadcasters Manual has proven to be a very effective tool because
the announcers have found it's handiness as a ready material and discussion
guide. No special training was needed on the part of the announcer. AIDS Hotline
counselors reported acknowledgements of referrals from the radio stations.
Lessons: It is possible to produce a cost effective and economical material
that can also be translated into the different local languages by the announcers
with ease.
33498 A standardised community based sexual behaviour
intervention in southwest Uganda: Progress in the first
year
Edward, Dr. Kanyesigye1, J. Kinsman2, JF. Kengeya-Kayondo2, I. Kamulegeya2,
J. Nakiyingi3, J.A.G. Whitworth3. 1Medical Research Council Programme On
AIDS, Uganda Virus Research Institute, PO. Box 49, Entebbe; 2MRC Masaka
Trial Masaka; 3MRC/UVRI Entebbe, Uganda
Background: An intervention trial is being carried out in SW Uganda in order
to determine whether IEC alone or in combination with improved management
of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are effective interventions against HIV
transmission. In this trial various Information Education and Communication (IEC)
channels are used. The present analysis compares these channels for 1996.
Method: The communication channels include drama and video shows, large
community meetings (of 10 or more people), small meetings (less than 10 people) and one to one discussions. For each channel the number, gender and age
distribution of attendees and the number of leaflets and condoms are recorded.
Results: In all there were 97 drama and 91 video shows, 905 large, 3,490 small
and 2,400 one to one meetings. Most people were reached through large meetings
followed by small meetings although video shows attracted the largest audience
per show. For large, small meetings, and video shows the total number of people
reached (in brackets mean attendance) were 25,879 (29), 17,228 (5) and 10,058
(111) respectively. Men and women were reached in equal proportions. A total of
8,261 condoms were distributed mostly through small meetings (43%) and one to
one encounters (32%) with females taking about 20% of condoms. Leaflet uptake
was greatest in 1.1 meetings (45.1%) followed by video shows (43.7%).
Conclusion: Although not all the channels were similar in pulling crowds, we
found an advantage in each of them as all worked synergistically in achieving
the objectives of the package. Large and small meetings reach large numbers
of people, video and drama shows are well attended. Small and 1: 1 meetings
are good for condom distribution; video shows and 1:1 meetings for distributing
leaflets.
33499 Experience press service for fight against HIV/AIDS/TB in
Cameroon
Jean-Marie Talom1, Etienne Kembou2, Eveline Makamte2, Elizabeth Ngwa3,
Michel Mouafo4, Michel Mombio5, Patrick Bertrand6. 1Yaounde 32, Rue 1790
Bounoung Mbono, PO Box 1937; 2Sidalerte Cameroon, Yaounde; 3National
Radio Broadcasting, Yaounde; 4 Weekly "Le Continent"; 5 "The Messager" News,
Yaounde, Cameroon,; 6Sidalerte Internationale Lyon, France
Issue: To rise awarness among national and international communities on
HIV/AIDS/TB pandemy.
Project: *Training: organised for radio broadcasters in June 1994 and February
1997 in an international workshops. These important meetings gave way to a rich
discussions on many issues by experts on media's role in the fight against AIDS
and creation of media presse service and evaluation of achieved actions, means
for a press service (INTERNET, etc.). Two members from SidAlerte Cameroon
(SDC) took part in a training organised by SidAlerte Internationale (SI) in Lyon
(France) for 6 months in 1995 and 1997 to improve their performances. *The
link Yaounde/Lyon allowed us to read news from international press and to
send news from Cameroon through our magazine. *Informing: report/fax information/articles/Tele and radio Programmes on perception and AIDS prevention

medical-like and epidemiological information, socio-economic consequences,
group's activities of PLWA.
Results: *10 members of SDC (3 journalist, 3 doctors, 4 volunteers) have
been trained on how to tackle a topic related to AIDS, the way a computer
Bank is functioning. They have so far produced 75 articles in all aspects of
infection, realised 25 radio broadcastings and 12 on TV. Three types of news are
mainly produced: news interresting a large majority of the people (press, NGO,

National AIDS Programme) to support their actions; scientific and medical news
for doctors and researchers; pleading messages, with international organization
announces. Press for instance is most interested and many others. *The cooperation Yaounde/Lyon allowed to put at our disposal 351 faxed information and
spread in all over the country, i.e. to NGO and international organizations. We
have received 12,600 scientific magazines in other to support our activities. 200
of each article are used for incomes which allowed us to achieve some of our
objectives.
Discussions and Comments: Most of the press managers who received that
information think that health is not to "sell off" and AIDS could be less as a matter
of fact and AIDS makes people fear. Psychological access to everyone is an impediment. AIDS is still considered as a shameful disease. Consequently, realising
a TV programme where a HIV carrier could appear becomes very difficult.
Lessons Learned: Despite modicity of our means and difficulties encountered,
experience shown that media has important role to play. Because it takes part to
a good spread of information on the HIV/AIDS/TB pandemic. For achieving this
project, a permanent training of journalists is necessary, sensitizing press managers, also are required participation of governments and multilateral partners.
33500 Media awareness through regular publications
Joke Saidat Kujenya. No 7, Warehouse Road, Apapa, Lagos Apapa, Nigeria
Issue: Population sensitization on HIV/AIDS using the print medium to reach the
grassroot populace and the elites.
Project: Given the low level of awareness in Nigeria, especially in the rural
areas, the intervention messages through media publications was developed
whereby different messages were sent out in my columns every Thursday, working in collaboration with other non-governmental organization (NGOs) for effective
networking. Also, I am a member of the Nigeria Media Network on HIV/AIDS and
Reproductive Health & Rights (MEDIANET NIG.) which comprises journalists
across Nigeria, all of whom are dedicated to comprehensive reportage of the
AIDS epidemic to effect positive behavioural change. Modes of operation include
organizing in-house training for media executives, educating them on the need
to be sensitive to the plight of PWAs; telling them NOT to cast gender-biased
headlines in newspapers and providing care for persons with AIDS (PWAS), as
well as organizing and attending workshops and seminars, among others, while
laying emphasis on prevention messages.
Results: Now a confidant to some of the PWAS in Lagos State. ALso, people
come from far and near to receive counselling and information materials, working
in collaboration with country offices of international agencies like the Joint United
Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Family Health International/AIDS
Control and Prevention (FHI/AIDSCAP) project and the World Health Organization (WHO), all these provide me with information materials on regular basis
contributing to successes recorded so far.
Lessons Learned: I realise that a lot still needs to be done in Nigeria in the area
of awareness and communication strategy. Then many people still consider AIDS
as a myth. This calls for intensified Information, Education and Communication
(IEC) efforts, solely aimed at minimising the spread of AIDS.
S33501 Data organizing and IEC development for overseas
contract workers: A communication strategy
Lirio Aureo Luyun. Cemshad, 2/FATC Bldg., Padre Faura St. Ermita, Manila,
Phillipines
Issues: The Philippines exports annually an average of 500,000 overseas workers for both land and sea based job contracts. While HIV antibody testing has been
required for overseas employment there is a lack of pre and post-test counseling
activities. Also, it has been observed in previous studies that the Pre-Departure
Orientation Seminars has often been overlooked amidst the other concerns relative to their departure. Thus, this sector has remained largely ignorant of the
epidemic and are unperturbed about the magnitude of the AIDS problem.
Project: The development of IEC materials that meet the needs of overseas
contract workers was the primary objective of this project. The materials were
intended not only to provide correct information of HIV/AIDS but also to promote
safer sexual practices that reduce the risk for HIV infection including the utilization
of condoms.
Results: Ten focused group discussion activities were conducted in cooperation with the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency. From the results of
these discussions, two brochures were developed which focused on the mode
of transmission and prevention of STD infection. Another brochure on safer sex
practices and proper condom use was also devised. Epidemiological information
on AIDS were also included about the host countries to offer the OCWs a global
perspective on the problem. Myths that often come from media and other informal
channels were also discussed to reduce or eliminate uncertainties about the disease. Existing social norms that support or motivate the adoption of risk-reduction
measures were also highlighted. Both materials were pre-tested and were found
to be largely useful by the target clients.
Lessons Learned: The provision of correct information on STD/HIV/AIDS is a

potent means by which target clients are able to raise their level of knowledge
on the infections. Materials however should manifest the cultural ramifications
of target groups so that their lifestyle as well as their sexual behavior can be
highlighted.