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

888 Abstracts 43208-43213

12th World AIDS Conference

43208 Level knowledge, attitudes and resources about
HIV/AIDS in 11 communities from Jalisco, Mexico
Patricia Campos-Lopez1, A. Diaz-Camarena1, J. Martinez-Lopez1,
A. Prieto-Alvarez1, F.C. Lopez-Marquez1, E. Vasquez-Valls2. 1Consejo Estatal
Prevencion Del Sida, 2 Jalisco, Guadalajara; 2 nstituto Mexican Del Seguro
Social, Guadalajara, Mexico
Background: Within the decentralization process of our State AIDS Information
Center toward priority and strategic regions of the State of Jalisco, before the implementing their local AIDS prevention plans, we need to identify level knowledge
and attitudes about HIV/AIDS, as well as tile potential local resources to support
the program.
Methods: During 1997, were conducted a baseline survey of the eleven
communities in a sample of inhabitants, through the application of an structure
questionnaire that include Lickert Scale for attitudes. Knowledge section, were
related at basic subjects on AIDS; the attitudes were classified like positive if
they help to AIDS risk reduction and promote social support, or negative if they
contribute with social stigma and risk behaviour. The resources inventory was
made through a conducted interview with community leaders.
Results: Were identified the next findings, among 1140 subjects interviewed,
mean age 27.7 years average level Knowledge (49.6%), average of Positive
Attitudes were (51.4%) and Negative Attitudes were (19.4%). The eleven communities count with an enough health and educational resources for their local
plans.
Conclusion: These data demonstrate an urgent need to extend the coverage
and effectiveness of the State HIV/AIDS information center to rural and poor
populations. Likewise is neccesary to integrate federal. state and local resources
in their AIDS prevention plans.
43209 | STD/HIV/AIDS program of the European Commission in
Brazil: A EU initiative to support key prevention projects
Paulo Roberto Proto De Souza. SCHES QD, 203 BL. C apt. 406 Cruzeiro Novo
Brasilia-DF CEP 70650-233, Brazil
Issue: The Program in Brazil has been developed in order to render a closer
technical assistance and promote the exchange of experiences between some
key prevention projects already being supported by the EC in this country. It also
aims at the identification of new partnerships with NGO and other local institutions
which are developing significant prevention activities among key populations, in
close cooperation with the National STD/AIDS Program-MOH.
Program: It has been divided into three phases to be carried out during a
period of 04 (four) years - April 97 to March 2001: 1. Integration with four EC
supported projects in Fortaleza/CE, Joao Pessoa/PB, Salvador/BA and the National STD/AIDS Program-MOH, with the exchange of experiences and technical
assistance.; 2. Integration with other EC supported projects under the Program for
Disadvantaged Children in Urban Areas (PIDMU), in order to identify and assist
new STD/AIDS prevention activities in Rio de Janeiro/RJ, Belo Horizonte/MG,
Recife/PE and Salvador/BA; 3. Identification of new partnerships for STD/AIDS
Prevention Projects (in accordance with priorities set by the MOH) to be carried
out between 1999-2001 with technical and financial support of the EC.
Results: So far, the Program has achieved its goals, having completely integrated with the already supported EC projects in the country. The second phase
is currently under way and new projects are being developed in Rio de Janeiro/
RJ and Belo Horizonte/MG in a successful integration with the PIDMU. The third
phase is about to start, with the identification of new partners already being
completed.
Lessons Learned: Despite the huge differences between target populations
and geographical regions in Brazil, so far the existence of a EC STD/HIV/AIDS
Program has proved to be of major importance in bringing about new prevention
strategies, promoting the exchange of experiences and improving technical qualifications and assistance to projects. Both Government and NGO have benefited
from and supported this EC initiative.
|43210 Focal groups: A technique to design metodologies in
STD/HIV/AIDS prevention with young people of Colombia
Maria Claudia Carrasquilla Coral1, M.M. Ecjeverri2. 1CRA. 7# 73-55 Piso 12
Santafe de Bogota; 2Asistente Proyecto Fundacion Restrepo Santafe de Bogota,
Colombia
Issues: In designing a STD/HIV/AIDS prevention project it is necessary to develop metodologies and propose topics according to specific populations. Each
populatio has ideologies, concepts and cultural codes that make people face
problems in different ways.
Project: The European Union is supporting a STD/HIV/AIDS prevention project
develo ped with young people of urban marginalized areas of COLOMBIA. The
focal group tchnique was used to get information about communication codes in
young people and teachers. This technique also helped gather information about
knowledge on STD/HIV/AIDS and their interest on the topic. 6 focal groups of 13

people each were developed.
Results: 1) The knowledge on STD/HIV/AIDS of this population is very low.
Tabog is widely spread. 2) It is important to promote human values as a way
to increase prevention. 3) Audios and viedos are the best ways to reach young
people of urban marginalized areas.
Lessons Learned: The focal group technique is an excellent tool to gather
information for the design of metodologies and topics for prevention programms

with specific populations. It makes possible the design of strategies adapted to
the needs and interests of young people of marginalized areas of Colombia.
43211 1 Results and experiences of the World AIDS Day campaign
in Santos, Brazil
Michael Souza, R.C.F. Guimar.es, C.R.G. Oliviera. Prog. Municipal DST/AIDS
de Santos, Santos, SP Brazil
Problem: The STD/AIDS Program from Santos searched to join partnerships
from governmental and non-governmental organizations, managers and from the
population aimming to maximize effonts in this Campaign and to get new partners
to combat the HIV/AIDS. Santos, which is one of the most important center
of transport and movement for burden because of its port, the biggest in Latin
America, had detained the higuest incidence of HIV occurrences in Brazil but now
it is showing an epidemy stabilization.
Project: From November 22nd to December 1st of 1997, municipal schools,
museums, the theatres and public place were involved in shows, exhbitions, tlaks
and interventions intending to sensibilize the population. The elaboration of this
campaign started in August gathering the participation of town-hall sectors and
non-governmental organizations following the National Coordination of STD/AIDS
of Brazil.
Results: 97.969 people were directly seached by the activities, including
791 people that were involved on this development. Educational materials were
distributed, totalizing: 11061 folders and chronograms, 1121 brooches, 888 clothmade Red Ribbon, 100 t-shirts, 1000 caps and 2000 posters. Patients and
their relatives worked in the confection and organization of activities, companies
and organizations gave some donations; artist and peronalities were present to
mobilize the population.
Conclusion: We believe that the action joining several society affords positive
results, becoming a campaign linked to the city and to its features
43212 The supervision of income - Generatiing projects by
PWA support groups in West Africa
Leiliane Monet M'Boa1, N.D. N'Dah2, K.J. Kouame3, Q.M.I. Doumatex4,
G.M. Grunisky5, N.H. N'Goran6. 106 BP 1021 Cidexl Abidjan 06; 2Club Des
Amis Abidjan; 3Lumiereaction Rap Abidjan; 4 CASM Abidjan; 5 Onusida Abidjan;
6GAP Abidjan, Cote D'lvoire
Issue: In 1995 the NAP + (Network in Africa of PWAS) attempted to promote and
finance the development of PWAS Association in West Africa, as well as develop
in come - generating projects. In 1997 NAP + Organised follow up missions to
evaluate project out come.
Project: From 08/05/97 to 15/05/97 3 persons teams were sent to Benin,
Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia. To assess the project
development.
Results: In Senegal, Benin, and Burkina Faso, projects filled due to, the death
of Key PWA members, lack of partnership and support, in particular with governmnts. In Gambia, Ghana and Benin, PWAS association were started successfully.
In Mauritania, authonties did not support the project objectives of starting a PWA
group.
Conclusion: All associations were eager to built capacity and start income -
generation projects. Unfortuhately, many paralysed by fiancial constaints, deaths
and government policies and lack of communication. All these factors should
be taken into account by associations wishing to develop and support similar
projects.
43213 1Sanitary strategies in a prevention and assistance
AIDS/STD pilot center for young people
Felipe lentile, P.M. Pascale Maquestiau, A.F. Ana Ferrara, A.A. Adriana Abal,
M.I.O. Maria Inesolivella, Z.L. Zarrella Luisa. 21 de Setiembre Montevideo;
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Issue: The necessity of early AIDS/STD detection, prevention and assistance in
a great risk population of young socioeconomically deprived people, required the
estabilishment of a local community center located in a marginal neighborhood of
the Great Buenos Aires. It is supported by the Local Municipality, the community
and an International Non Governamental Organization.
Project: Special strategies to prevent risk situations as abortion, non desired
and early pregnancy, AIDS/STD were developed. One of the most interesting
challenge for us was receiving the response of young people to our call. This was
only gained by going deep into their own interests and sociocultural problems.
This project includes in its staff young people working as community agents, a
couple of medical doctors (specialized infectologist and ginecologist), a psicologist, a nurse, a sociologist and a social worker. The program included opened
workshops of preventive and sexual education, personal interviews and distribution of condoms. We also included recreational activities which has permited us
a closer approach with the group.

Results: After a year working at the center we noticed: a considerable increase of spontaneous doctor-client consultations about AIDS/STD, people are
less dreadful about laboratory tests, and patients carry their illness in a more
dignified way.
Lessons Learned: When done patiently, with perseverance, in a creative and
affective way human projects are succesful allthough sometimes we don't have
enough economical resources.