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

12th World AIDS Conference

Abstracts 34240-34245 733

34240 Bridging the gap-between PLWA and community
Aruna Bora1, P.C. Bora2. 1Suraj Clinic, Bldg. No. 6, 90 Feet Rd. Pant Nagar,
Ghatkopar(E), Mumbai; 2212, Shivam, R. Narkarrd, Pantnagar, Mumbai-400075,
India
Issue: To identify the barriers between the community and PLWA and efforts to
overcome them.
Project: Interaction with PLWA revealed that the barriers of fear of discrimination or stigmatisation were responsible for inhibiting them to seek support
from community. It was observed that the barriers of apathy, unfounded fears,
ignorance on the side of community were responsible for the gap between the
community and PLWA. Initiative to break those barriers and bridge the gap was
taken by our NGO. 4 Get-togethers of HIV positive patients & their family members
were organised in 2 years. PLWA & AIDS affected families were encouraged to
actively participate in the discussion & share their views & experiences. HCW,
Social Workers, Media persons, NGO, participated in these informal programmes.
Results: The attendance of number of families at those meetings went up from
initial 15 to 33, 48 to 67 over a period of 2 years. Sessions gradually became more
participative and interactive. Concerns brought about were clinical care, exploitation by medical fraternity, expectation of cure, fear about transmission in the family,
and planning for widows and orphans in the order of frequency. Marked change
in the attitude of community at large was observed. It created a sense of togetherness, acceptance & courage amongst positive people & their family members.
Lessons Learned: The meetings catalysed the process of willingness to live
positively with HIV infection. It brought the positive people together to form their
support group. The fear of discrimination and inhibition was lessened and helped
in bridging the gap between PLWA and the community. NGO can play important
role in breaking the barriers and building the bridges.
S34241 The impact of anti-viral treatment combinations on the
social care needs of people with HIV
Nick Partridge, P. Ward, J. Grimshaw. 52-54 Grays Inn Road London WC1X
8JU, UK
Aim: To establish the extent to which anti HIV drugs are changing the social care
needs of people with HIV, and to assess the implications for service providers
Method: 30 people with HIV (15 were in receipt of treatment, 15 were not),
selected at random but weighted to represent the epidemic in the UK, participated
in semi structured interviews in 1997.
Findings: There were significant differences in service needs between people
in receipt of anti HIV treatment and those not. People taking treatments were
slightly less likely to use social care services and were more likely to be working
or considering work. However, they still had considerable need for social care
services although the need for specific services differed from the non treatment
group, eg, use of welfare advice services for back to work advice, rather than for
maximisation of state benefits.
Conclusions: The social care needs of people with HIV are diverging as a
result of the take up of anti viral treatments. Service users, funders and providers
need to ensure that the needs of both groups are taken into account when
planning services.
34242 Prevention of HIV/AIDS and pavingway for honourable
works to the commercial sex workers (CSWs)
Gopal Thiruppathi. Ramnagar 1-2-13DB, T Kallupatti, Tamilnadu, India
Issues: Commercial Sex Workers are selling sex due to poverty. They vulnerable
to STD/HIV/AIDS. Prevent STD/HIV/AIDS among CSWs and create honourable
income through income generation activities by means of self helpand cooperatives.
Project: Peoples Service Society (PSS) launched a STD/HIV intervention
project in Madrai City the pilgrime centre and a home of 4000 to 5000 CSWs in
100 isolated places. Instructed safermethods and given treatment for STD/HIV
related diseases. Further relinguise them from sex work started Self Help Groups
and given them training in income generation activities. Third step, to heighten
their legal status and honour in the society mooted them to start cooperative
commercial sex workers society.
Results: 100 CSWs are doing the honourable work of papad making, Tailoring, leather goods making, Handloom Weaving and street vending flowers and
vegetables and earing for their livelyhood. Automatically the behavioural change
stopped the risk of STD/HIV. 100 CSWs subscribed each Rupees 100 as share
capital to the cooperative CSWs society.
Lessons Learned: Abysmal poverty is the cause for commercial sex work. Sex
work increases the risk of STD/HIVAIDS. Self Help and Social Support Projects
bring new lifestyle, Honour and build bridges and forge alliances to the New
Social order.
| 34243 Evolution of support services on HIV/AIDS - Hong Kong

case
Oi-Chu Lin, H.F. Kam, S.Y. Chan, S.K. Cheng. Hong Kong AIDS Foundation, 5/F.
Shaukeiwan Jockey Club Clinic, 8 Chai Wan Road, Shaukeiwan, Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
Issue: With the first HIV infection discovered in Hong Kong in 1985, much effort
has been devoted in developing a range of support services for people infected

or affected. The majority of this range of services aimed at improving the clients'
coping ability required for restructuring a positive life. However the Hong Kong
experiences have demonstrated that modification in the support services in line
with the advancement in medical treatment is needed in order to achieve a
effective and helpful program for people with HIV/AIDS.
Project: With the development of triple therapy which contributes in prolonging
the life of people affected, it has been noticed that HIV/AIDS has somehow been
evolving as a long term illness similar to any other chronic illnesses, though with
its own specificity. The need of people affected or infected has also changed with
this new trend. The past effort of diluting the negative impact of the infection,
rendering assistance for clients to deal with crisis, providing and encouraging
normalizing activities and rendering psychological support by both individual and
group apporach..etc is not sufficient. More has to be done in terms of (1) enhancing independence which means that the individual can resume a normal role in
areas like social relationship; employment and daily activities, (2) securing long
term family support and coping, (3) reinforcing drug and treatment compliance;
(4) conducting preventive education among people with HIV/AIDS.
Results: The re-structuring of support services has been started in the Hong
Kong AIDS Foundation for above six months. It may be premature to make
conclusive remarks on the results but the response from the client has been
very positive. The majority of them found the new endeavors very timely and
appropriate for helping them to tackle the new problems arising from a long term
illness.
Lessons Learned: Due to the rapid advancement in HIV/AIDS treatment and
prevention, it is essential to refine our services and programs to meet the changing face of the epidemic or else we cannot achieve really effective and useful
interventions.
34244 A trial for a global approach to AIDS: The "meeting point"
experience in Uganda
Maurizio Raveral, Rose Busingye2, A.V. Asaba3, B.L. Bassani4, A.N. Anguru2,
O.K. Opoka5, C.F. Ciantia4. 1PO. Box 6785 Kamapala; 2Reeting Point, Hoira;
3AVSI, Karpala; 4Reeting Point, Kitgur; 5AVSI, Karpala, Uganda
Issues: A friendship aiming at embracing all the aspects of life of a person with
AIDS is the open challenge offered to each one of us.
Project: The non-governmental organisation Meeting Point (MP) started in
Uganda in 1990 when a friend of a patient with AIDS (PwA) invited other people
to accompany this person in his sickness. Today, "Meeting Point' groups are
present in Kitgum, Kampala, and Hoima.
Results: The assistance for PwA is expressed in different ways and during
1997 the activities among others were: 1,945 home visits with 10% of them
carried out with the help of a doctor, 5,612 visits at the STD/AIDS clinic of
the Hospitals, income Generating Activities (i.e. sewing), material assistance,
counselling, health education on AIDS in different environments (7 schools and
6 communities), support to 849 orphans through payment of school fees and
distribution of food/goods, support supervision and assistance to the outreach
units. The staff of MP through living a friendship and personal relationship among
themselves can offer a human company. Therefore, we try to judge and look at
daily problems and situations together in regular meetings, we to seek advice and
spiritual assistance, and to involve the neighbours' community. The disease AIDS
creates a situation of fear and uncertainty in the patient and the relatives. AIDS
often leads to dramatic family situations and many abandon their sick relatives.
MP offers to fill this gap of love through a personal relationship of the staff with
the PwA and his family.
Lessons learned: In our experience a PwA, encountering somebody who lives
in a meaningful way and offers a friendship, feels welcomed and understands
the value of his/her person. In such a way he/she is becoming a protagonist in
his/her life and will be able to promote a change of behaviour with a positive but
nonetheless realistic gaze at reality.
34245 Educational support for HIV/AIDS affected children
Sukunya Withayapanit1, D.R. Thanprasertsuk2, M.S. Dum-Auem1. 164/14
(Room 307) Tivanond Road, Nonthaburi 11000; 2 Technical Coordination Center,
MOPH, Nonthaburi, Thailand
Issued: HIV/AIDS has destroyed a huge number of families by killing fathers and
mothers and left the orphans behind without any support.
Project: To reduce the problem that affect children in HIV/AIDS families, Punyapiwat (Wisdom Development) Group (PG) initiated the project in 1995 in order
to support these children' education. The concept of the project is to promote
family ties and let these children have the possible longest education until they
are grown enough to live normal lives. The PG strated its project by making
connection with hospitals and NGOs as well as group of PWAs. Social workers
working in these institutes are informed about the project and asked to identify
cases who are in real need for continuous education. After identification, referral
are made to the PG. Social worker of the PG will contact the cases and problem
assessment is made by record review, interviewing and home visit. Consideration

of support in detail are done through case conference.
Results: During 3 year period (1995-1957), PG have been contacted from 116
children. Among these, 96 children are being support from PG, while the other 10
children are being in the process of assessment and case conference. 5 children
were not provided with any financial support or support were terminated due to
various reason considered to be in appropriate to support. The rest 5 children
were not be able to contact because of incomplete address information.