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

12th World AIDS Conference

Abstracts 43149-43154 877

Results:, 562 clients said that positive results mean instant commencement
of death.
* 208 clients said that HIV positive results mean that one was promiscuous.
* 93 clients (female) said husbands bring the virus into the family, therefore, it
is their responsibility to undergo a test.
* 84 clients said that everyone has the virus, therefore no need to have the
test.
Lesson Learnt: * HIV/AIDS awareness messages have not influenced people's
change of sexual behaviour. * The responses of people to HIV/AIDS messages
depend on level of knowledge. * The old HIV/AIDS delivery strategies should be
substituted with new realistic ones.
43149 Pre 2nd post test counselling service at the Awanama
(Anonymous) Clinic
Surya Ctasi, Siti Chasanah Machdi, B.C. Suryantini. Pelita Ilmu Foundation,
Jakarta, Indonesia
Issue: There is still lack of facilities for the Pre and Post testcounselling
Project: The Awanama Clinic was established 3 years ago in facilitating of
HIV test anonymously. Different from other similar clinics, The Awanama Clinics
serves pre and post HIV test counselling for persons who intend to take an HIV
test.
Up to the first two years there have been 162 clients visited the Clinic and 5
of them were diagnosed as HIV positive. Most of their reasons why they took
the test is because of unsave extra-marital heteroseksual relations. The biggest
segment of clients is grouped in 21 - 30 years of age. Supported by ceaseless
publication of last 3 years "Support" Magazine, more and more clients voluntarily
take HIV test and attend counselling served the Awanama Clinic seriously.
Results: From the escalated problems during pre and post HIV test, it found
that the need for developing counselling program is not limited merely on pre and
post test counselling. But, too, for counselling for the behavioral changing for high
risk people and familial counselling.
Lessons Learned: Counselling for the HIV test is not finished just at the
moment of test result forwarded to client. Diagnoses, whether positive or not, it is
still need an advance counselling for futher prevention of the spread of epidemy.
43150 Evaluation of an anonymous HIV screening and
counselling centre in Budapest, Hungary
Peter Csepe, E. Simka, J. Forrai. H-1445 Buddapest POB 370 Semmesweis,
University Institut of Public Health, Budapest, Hungary
Objectives: To evaluate the activity of the NGO-based anonymous screening
programme opened in 1988 in Budapest.
Methods: 1) analysis of the centre's statistics; 2) analysis of a representative sample of 2000 questionnaires completed during counselling; 3) structured
interviews with centre personnel.
Results: 9,966 anonymous tests were performed by the centre between 1998
and 1996. 79 were positive. More than 20,000 individuals received advice on the
test site help line between 1993 and 1996. In the early years, the majority (70%)
of the clients visiting the centre were men aged 21-30, mainly men having sex
with men. Over the years, prostitutes, IDUs as well as persons outside these
groups sought testing, and the proportion of men decreased to 55% in 96. Fewer
clients came for re-test. The proportion of those who had never used a condom
dropped from 48% in 1989 to 26% in 1996. Such increased condom use may
be related to prevention efforts in Budapest, including those of the help line.
Reasons for testing were mainly history of risk taking, but 18% came in order to
ascertain their HIV status at the beginning of a new relationship. Satisfaction with
the service was high (94%) and 68% considered anonymity as being essential.
After counselling 2/3 considered they should change their behaviour.
Conclusion: Most HIV testing in Hungary occurs in centres which do not
offer anonymity. Anonymous counselling and testing services, however, are a
major component of HIV control programmes since they attract people with risk
behaviours who otherwise may not visit other types of testing sites. Such centres
should therefore be maintained.
1 43151 | HIV testing: The views of university students in Kenya
Erick Were Odunga1, E. Wandera Okunga2, R. Odindo3, C. Oyugi4. Ic/o Robert
Okello Akhaabi & Co. Adv. 3rd Fl. PO. Box 50128 Nairobi; 2Medical Student
University of Nairobi; 3Resource Person Futures Group Nairobi;
4Kwaso/Women's Bureau, Kenya
Background: The HIV/AIDS pandemic threatens the existence of elites in the
developing world due to their exposure to situations that facilitate HIV/AIDS transmission. Hence this prompted the study which was carried out for a period of 3
months.
Objectives: To determine the relative awareness of HIV/AIDS testing and also
the various reasons why people opt for HIV/AIDS testing or not. To check on

students personal HIV/AIDS experience.
Methodology: A structured questionnaire was given to a student sample.
Services of NGO and government based resource persons were engaged. And
interpersonal talks, debates and interviews amongst the students.
Results: Over 90% of the students had personal HIV/AIDS experience. Traditionalist students didn't appreciate the existence of the virus (HIV). 23% had
undergone the HIV/AIDS test due to either personal initiative, doctors request,

blood donation, marriage purposes, insurance requirement or travel requirements.
19% of the untested cited expenses, 2.5% believed they were not at risk, 2.5%
cited religious beliefs and being suspected of immorality. 11.1% were afraid of
positive results. 44.4% of the total sample were willing to obtain HIV/AIDS test or
re-test.
Conclusion: All classes of people need to acquire HIV/AIDS education and
counselling. HIV/AIDS testing needs to be availed free of charge hence in the
long run prompt responsible behaviour.
43152 Significance of counseling and psychological support
during HIV testing
Alla Davydova1, G.V. Bogojavlensky2, G.I. Gnevashevas. 1SOC. OF Prof.
Psycho-Analysts, Tikhoretsky Prospect 35-156 Saint Petersburg, 195427 ST.
Petersburg; 2City AIDS Center ST Petersburg, Russia
Issue: People coming for anonymous testing on HIV anti-bodies experience psychological discomfort and need individual approach and psychological support. It
is especially true given the positive result of testing.
Project: Independent anonymous testing point on HIV anti-bodies was organized non-governmental Society of Professional Psycho-analysts 3 years ago.
For this period more than 4.000 patients were tested there. 98% of those tested
needed psychological counseling and support. For this purpose special formalized guidelines and recommendations for anonymous counseling and support
were elaborated and recorded by counselors just after counseling. Analysis of
these records shows that the majority of those coming for testing were males at
the age of 21-30 (70%), 60% of them being unmarried or divorced and having
numerous sexual partners. The main reasons underlying their wish to be tested
were: fear of being HIV-positive (70%), anxiety over one's own health conditions
(32%) and the doubt in permanent's partner devotion (17%), the sum exceeding
100% since many of those interviewed cited more than one reason.
Results: People coming for anonymous testing are of great need of psychological support and counseling in the possible ways of HIV-transmittance, clinical
manifestation of AIDS and the consequences for individual life and behavior in
case of both positive and negative results of testing due to the cultivated in
contemporary society AIDS-phobia and wide spread misinformation.
Lessons Learnt: Mutual understanding between counselor and his/her client
is of crucial importance since it offers to solve the stress-related problems on
individualized level. For this purpose the development of the independent from
the municipal service anonymous testing points and its advertisement is vital.
43153 HIV infection study on patients at the "Eva Peron"
Teaching Hospital (HEEP)
AmericoJose Troglia, J.A. Rossi, G. Jaffre. Hospital Escuela "Eva Peron",
Granadero Baigorria, Argentina
Introduction: Since October 1987, studies on anti HIV antibodies has been
carried out on blood donors and patients in the Blood Transfusion Service, "Eva
Peron" Teaching Hospital (HEEP), Granadero Baigorria, where outpatients, referred from the Clinical Medicine, Tocogynecology, Pediatrics and HIV Services
are assisted, as well as those individuals who spontaneously have requested the
test. The studies are also carried out on inpatients referred from the Surgical and
Clinical Services in the Hospital.
Purpose: To investigate the incidence of the HIV infection in outpatients assisted in the HEEP, as well as pregnant patients and newborns of HIV-positive
mothers.
Materials and Methods: The study has been carried out on reportable patients
since February 1995. To that end, a Case History Card was designed where Personal and Epidemiological Data, Risk Behaviour an Cause for Consultation are
gathered. The ELISA (screening) method was used, and confirmed by Western
Blot.
Results: In subjects over 12 years old, 5.46%HIV-positive; females, 3.05%;
males, 12.04%. In subjects with stable partners, 2.44% HIV-positive; in subjects
with unstable partners, 15.56%. IV Drug addicts, females, 2.8%, HIV-positive,
17.39%; males 14%, HIV-positive, 28.57%. Pregnant females 1.06% HIV-positive.
In children of HIV-positive mothers 0.33% HIV-positive. Age of higher incidence
20 to 34 yr, 77% HIV-positive (20 to 24 yr, 22.95%; 25 to 29 yr, 26.23%; 30 to
34 yr, 27.87%). Present complaint: personal concern, 1.33%; clinical suspicion,
2.25%. Sexual behaviour: heterosexual, 88.52%; homosexual, 10%.
Conclusions: In subjects under 12 years old, no risk behaviour is observed. In
subjects over 12 years old, HIV-positive, 5.46%. Stable partners and prophylaxis
are important for HIV prevention. A higher rate of intravenous drug addiction in
males than in females is seen, together with a high incidence of HIV-positive. Low
incidence of HIV-positive in pregnant women (in all cases due to HIV-infected
partners). No HIV was found in patients having undergone blood transfusion, nor
during those cases where labor accidents, surgery, or prelabor consultations.

43154 Maintaining community involvement: Establishing the
criteria
Kristen Weeks-Norton1, T. Reynolds1, J.A. Finney1. Prevention Marketing
Initiative, 909 12th Street Suite 203 Sacramento, CA 95814, USA
Issue: Reports continue to stack up documenting the efficacy of community
involvement in HIV prevention. If this is true, the challenge we face is how to
effectively maintain active participation by community members.