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

12th World AIDS Conference

Abstracts 33545-33550 697

33545 A survey of knowledge of AIDS in paramedical staff
(nursing staff) in eastern Rajasthan State of India
Anil Purohit1 2, Girish Verma4, J. Chakraborty1, S. Kalla3. 1c/o Judy Suleski,
Dept. of Physiology & Molecular Medicine, Medical College of Ohio, 3035
Arlington Avenue, Toledo, Ohio; 2BIDMC Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA;
3State University of New York, Syracuse, NY USA; 4Kota Medical College, Kota,
RA, India
Issue: It is known that educational programs are needed for the developing countries. However, accurate data are not available regarding the knowledge base of
health care workers who are serving the people with HIV infection and AIDS.
Project: This study was conducted to obtain accurate data on the HIV/AIDS
knowledge base among paramedical staff of M.B.S. Hospital and associated
group of hospitals attached to Medical College, Kota, Rajasthan State, India. A
questionnaire was given to survey the knowledge of AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), its transmission, common clinical presentation, methods of
disinfection, sterilization and prevention. A total of 40 paramedical staff participated in this survey.
Results: It was observed that 57.5% (23) had some knowledge about transmission of AIDS and the rest had inadequate knowledge. Only 35% of the paramedical
staff knew common clinical presentation of AIDS while 6% did not know it. It was
also observed that disinfection and sterilization methods used to disinfect or
sterilize the articles (bed sheets, surgical instruments) were completely known by
25% of the surveyed paramedical staff. Only 17.5% of the surveyed staff knew
clinical signs and symptoms of AIDS and 80% of staff had incomplete knowledge,
while 4.5 (one staff) did not answer correctly to any question regarding prevention
issues in the questionnaire.
Conclusion: These data reveal inadequate knowledge of AIDS among
paramedical staff even in the city area. Thus, it appears that regular training
program of HIV and AIDS and updating of knowledge on HIV/AIDS are required
by the paramedical staff. This type of program will improve the service and management of patients with HIV/AIDS. It may also reduce the risk of transmission.
S33546 Evaluation of an AIDS prevention peer-education
programme in Budapest, Hungary
Peter Csepe, J. Forrai. H-1445 Budapest POB 370 Semmelweis, University
Institut of Public Health, Budapest, Hungary
Background: In 1996 an NGO-based peer project was launched in the aim of
training girls living in children's homes for carrying out AIDS prevention among
peers in secondary schools and in public places.
Objectives: Process and outcome evaluation of the programme.
Methods: 1) questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to evaluate training
and motivation of peer educators; 2) KAPB questionnaires in secondary schools
reached by peer educators (comparison of groups exposed and not exposed to
the intervention); 3) analysis of worksheets filled out during street work of peer
educators; 4) participant observation of prevention activities.
Results: 22 girls were trained and 14 became peer educators in schools and on
the street. Their knowledge was sufficient to carry out AIDS prevention activities
with the help of trained young volunteers. Strong cohesion was shown during
meetings of peer educators. According to worksheets, educators contacted more
than 2,000 young people of different social class, and provided written and oral
information and condoms. The majority of the youngsters contacted had good
HIV/AIDS knowledge, but only 15% had ever used condoms. More than 500 secondary school students received information in small-group sessions. Six months
after the sessions, significant differences in HIV/AIDS knowledge and attitudes
towards HIV infected people were observed between educated and non-educated
groups.
Conclusion: The peer project achieved its main goals. A cohesive working
group has been formed. Peer educators have been able to work either in groups
or alone, and to contact young people in diverse settings. Their special social
status facilitated activities among underprivileged teenagers.
33547 AIDS/STD peer health education: The experience with
secondary school students in Ibadan
Veronica Igbanugo1, H.O. Nwagwu2, E.N. Ekpo3, M. Lawson4. 1Dept. of
Physical & Health Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan; 2Dept. of Guid. &
Counselling, Unibadan, Ibadan; 3Forestry Research Institute, Ibadan; 4Dept. of
Paediatrics, College of Medicine, Ibadan, Nigeria
Objective: To sensitize secondary school students to become aware of the
HIV/AIDS pandemic in Nigeria and the danger it poses to all facets of life; (b) to
provide accurate information on HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted disease;
(c) to train selected students as Peer Health Educators (PHEs).
Design: Participatory
Method: This is an ongoing study which will continue until all secondary school
students and youths in Ibadan have been sensitized. Focus Group Discussions

(FGD) were carried out in the 8 schools where the project has so far been
completed. 60 selected students were trained as PHEs. Youth sensitive IEC
materials were developed in a workshop setting with the PHEs. Anti AIDS Clubs
were formed in all the schools reached. Focus group discussions and post-test
assessments were used to evaluate the project.
Results: Follow up studies carried out 6 months following inauguration of Anti
AIDS Clubs revealed that PHEs were effective in educating their peers as many
students were reached. Post-test showed increased level of awareness, with Anti

AIDS Club members exhibiting the same level of knowledge as PHEs in some
schools.
Conclusion/Lessons Learned: Peer Health Education (PHE) appears acceptable and effective in health education. The need to train teachers to help sustain
the level of activities of the PHEs and Anti AIDS Club members was identified. A
workshop for these teachers is planned.
33548 Changes in sexual behavior and condom use among
MWM in Brazil
Maria Eugenio Fernandes Lemos1, Luis Antonio D'Angelo2, V. Terto Jr.3,
M.P. Mota3, R. Parker3. 1Av. Heitor Peuteado 47 casa 3, Sao Paulo;
2Associacao Saude Familia, Sao Paulo, SP; 3ABIA, Rio De Jainero, RJ, Brazil
Introduction: AIDSCAP/Brazil was a 5 year program to prevent the sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS and STI among target groups. The intervention projects
were designed, implemented and evaluated following a comprehensive technical
strategy. One major target group was men who have sex with other men. This
paper focus on the behavior changes aspects of this specific population during a
5 years period.
Objectives: To assess changes and describe the knowledge of STD/AIDS,
sexual behavior and condom use among the MWM in the city of Rio de Janeiro
and Sao Paulo target areas of the AIDSCAP project.
Methodology: Quantitative studies were performed during 1991 and 1993 in
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and 1995 in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo (SP) by ABIA.
Each wave of quantitative research included 300 subjects. The same methodology was used in all waves of quantitative research in SP and RJ. In 1995, a
qualitative research was performed in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to complement quantitative data.
Results: The knowledge of HIV sexual transmission has increased to over
95% in 1995. The use of condoms in all relationship ("always use condoms")
have increased from 60% in 1993 to 89% in 1995). The number of men who
referred that they would not accept to have unsafe sex increased from 40% to
82% in the studied period. Adequate safer sex understanding related to condom
use improved to 100% by the end of the project. Higher risk groups that were less
likely to use condom were the MWM with lower education and socio economical
status, and the yougest ages (14 to 19 years old).
Qualitative data shows that societal prejudice against homosexuality and risk
factors for high-risk behaviors are strongly associated. Individuals reporting the
highest levels of risky behaviors were often to conflict with their homoerotic
feelings.
Conclusions: 1) Although in the general gay community the level of knowledge and safer sex behaviors are high, the studies point out that MWM with lower
socio-economic status belonging to younger age groups are in urgent need for
specific interventions. 2) Data collect overtime should be taken into account for
the design of new interventions projects for MWM in Brazil.
Funded by USAID
S33549 Awareness among urban out of school children
Kasule Sulah Kibirige. PO. Box 7782, Kampala, Uganda East Africa
Issue: Involvement of disadvantaged urban out of school children (street children)
in HIV prevention.
Project: As the number of children with STI/STDs rose in the Kampala slums,
friends of children association came up with an idea of using community sites
as STI/STDs prevention centres. In this regard 4 sites were identified and one
drop-in-centre.
The staff include a female and male social workers, 2 rehabilitated ex street
children working as peer educators in each centre and a qualified nurse. Methods
used were counselling, sexual health education and other life skills empowerment.
Results: The centres have been well attended. Within 3 months 49 boys and
8 girls had responded. Sharing of sex partners had reduced and condom use
increased. 93 had received treatment for STDs, 47 attended the drop in centre
regularly and 15 resettled.
Lessons Learned: STI/STDs prevention programmes with children can be a
success only if their problems, views and needs are understood.
S33550 Innovative training and evaluation at California hotline
supports volunteer-driven, client-centered service
Lisa Heft. S.F AIDS Foundation PO. Box 426182, San Francisco, California, USA
Issues: Ongoing evaluation, interactive training methodology, volunteer support
and creative information management combine in the delivery of an HIV/AIDS
information hotline.
Project: The California HIV/AIDS Hotline is a statewide service of the San
Francisco AIDS Foundation. The trilingual hotline is staffed by 100 volunteer
health educators who provide free and anonymous information, counseling and
referrals to 120,000 callers annually. Volunteers access a database, consisting of

over 5,000 community based organizations, via the Internet to provide resource
referrals and collect caller demographic data. An Intranet, which will consoidate technical information with a mental health approach, is under development.
Peer health educators trained as interactive presenters teach new volunteers
(quarterly) in topics ranging from immunology to psychosocial issues. Materials
and methods are constantly adjusted to reflect changing HIV information, peer
evaluation and effective learning techniques. Hotline educators are evaluated by