Abstract Book Vol. 2 [International Conference on AIDS (14th: 2002: Barcelona, Spain)]

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts WePeC6174-WePeC6177 125

WePeC6174 HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among residents in
seven counties in China: Implications for action
D. Holtzman', J. Hsia', R.B. Rubinson2, S. Zhang3, FY. Bao3, L. Mo3,
S. Chen3. 'Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, Mailstop K-66, 4770 Buford Highway, N.E., Atlanta GA
30341, United States; 2Emory University, Atlanta, United States; 3The State
Family Planning Commission, Beijing, China
Background: Although official estimates of AIDS cases in China are relatively
low, over 600,000 persons were thought to be infected with HIV by the end of
2000. To better understand AIDS in China, the State Family Planning Commission
conducted the first general population survey of residents in 7 counties, to assess
knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs related to HIV/AIDS. This study describes the
prevalence of these HIV-related measures, assesses sociodemographic variation,
and recommends plans for action.
Methods: From a target population of 7 counties representing low to high economic development areas across China, a sample of persons, aged 15-49 years,
was randomly selected from each county. Households interviews were conducted
in December 2000; n=7,053 persons. Weighted prevalence estimates and 95%
confidence intervals were calculated for HIV items that were further examined by
sociodemographic characteristics.
Results: Most striking from the analysis is the lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS.
Almost 17% of respondents had never heard of AIDS, over half did not know
what causes AIDS, and 67.9% did not know how AIDS could be detected. While
90.7% said AIDS could be transmitted, most did not know the routes of transmission; over 80% did not know AIDS could be transmitted from sharing needles
or from an infected women to her newborn. Similarly, 74.3% said that AIDS was
preventable, but over 75% did not know AIDS could be prevented by using condoms correctly, avoiding unsafe blood transfusions, and avoiding sharing needles.
Respondents in the high economic region, at the highest education and income
levels, and who were not farmers or farm workers were significantly likely to have
more AIDS knowledge.
Conclusions: The results suggest an urgent call for action in China with respect
to HIV/AIDS. With the possibility of a very significant AIDS epidemic and a substantial lack of knowledge, the need for widespread HIV educational programs
and campaigns is critical.
Presenting author: Deborah Holtzman, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop K-66, 4770 Buford Highway, N.E., Atlanta GA 30341, United States,
Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeC6175 I A survey on knowledge, attitudes and practices on
hiv/aids among a Pygmy population and it
neighboring bantus
H.A. Yumol, N. Ndembi2, D. Jun3, N.L. Kaptue4. 'Department of Immunology
and Haematology, University of Yaounde I, B.P: 25266 Messa-Yaoundd,
Cameroon; 2Departmenent of viral infection and international health, University
of Kanazawa, Kanazawa, Japan; 3Department of viral infection and International
Health, Kanazawa, Japan; 'Department of Immunology and Haematology
University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon
Background: Although the Pygmy minority tribe still live in isolation from other
tribes, it also presents HIV/AIDS risk factors as sexual intercourse with neighboring Bantus, permanent contacts with monkeys, some species of which have been
suggested acting as HIV reservoir. This study was to value the awarness of these
populations on HIV/AIDS in order to tackle it spread in this minority with adequate
strategies.
Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out in September
2001 within Pygmies camps and Bantus villages, using a pre-tested questionnaire to collect data about knowledge, attitudes and practices on HIV/AIDS of
the voluntary participants. Statistical analysis were done using EPI INFO 6.04
software.
Results: A total of 305 subjects including 137 (44,9%) Pygmies and 168 (55,1%)
Bantus were recruited and the following results were obtained: age varied from
15 to 87 years; female sex was represent by 55,5%. In the other hand, 53,9% of
Pygmies versus 80,9% of Bantus had already heard about HIV/AIDS; 39,7% of
Pygmies versus 57,2% of Bantus did beleive in its existence in their village; 7,2%
of Pygmies compared to 50% of Bantus knew at least a means of HIV transmission; 4,3% of Pygmies versus 44, 6% of Bantus knew at least one method
of HIV/AIDS prevention; only 0,5% of Pygmies versus 18,4% of Bantus do use
condoms during extramarital sex. Finally, 0,0% of Pygmies versus 2% of Bantus
did know their serological status, but 93,9% of Pygmies vs 95,5% of Bantus were
ready for a voluntary HIV test.
Conclusion: These communities, particularly Pygmies know almost nothing
about HIV/AIDS. As such, we recommend that intensive sensitisation campaigns
need to be permanently carried out in their villages.
Presenting author: Habakkuk YUMO AZINYUI, B.P: 25266 Messa-Yaounde,
Cameroon, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]

WePeC6176 Prevalence of antiretroviral (ART) resistance
mutations (RM) in patients (pts) in clinical care
reporting high risk HIV transmission behavior.
M. Kozall, R. Amico2, J. Chiarellal, J. Fisher2, D. Cornman2, W. Fisher 3,
G. Friedland 1. ' Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven CT, United
States; 2University of Connecticut, Storrs CT, United States; 3University of
Western Ontario, London Canada, United States
Background: Rates of ART RM have increased in new HIV infections. Pts in clinical care receiving ART and engaging in risk behaviors are the likely source of
new ART RM. Little is known about the prevalence or predictors of ART RM in
this population.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of ART RM in HIV+ pts in clinical care
who report high risk transmission behavior (unprotected sex and/or active IDU
with used works and needles) and compare these with HIV+ pts in care without
risk behaviors.
Methods: Cross-sectional study of 500 HIV+ pts in Options Project (longitudinal
study of and intervention to reduce HIV risk behaviors in HIV+ pts in clinical care).
Demography, sex/drug use, adherence, clinical status, CD4/viral load obtained at
baseline and every 6 mos with HIV VL >50 copies/ml tested for ART RM by automated sequencing (ABI).
Results: Results on 102 pts with complete baseline data as of 10/23/01: (48% female, 55% Black, 20% Hispanic, 12% MSM, 43% IDU). 31% pts reported sexual
risk behaviors in prior 3 mos; 2% needle sharing. Overall prevalence of HIV ART
RM 29%; 15.7% pts resistant to one class of ART, 10.8% to 2 classes and 2.9%
to all 3 classes ART. 29% pts with risk behaviors had RM. Of these, 4 reported 57
unprotected sexual events with a minimum of 16 HIV negative or unknown status
partners in prior 3 mos. All had detectable VL, 2 with >1500 HIV RNA copies/ml,
who had 50 unprotected sexual events with 5 partners of negative or unknown
HIV status.
Conclusion: Preliminary data in this ongoing study indicate a substantial proportion of HIV+ pts in clinical care continue to engage in high-risk behavior and have
RM. A minority of these pts engaged in risky sexual behaviors with high-risk partners and potentially exposed a substantial number of HIV negative or unknown
status partners by a large number of risky sexual events. Defining and reducing
risk in the clinical care setting in this core ART RM transmission population is
essential.
Presenting author: gerald friedland, yale university aids program, 135 college
street suite 323, new haven ct, 65102483, United States, Tel.: [phone],
Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeC6177 Factors preventing Japanese high school students
from admitting to patronized sexual relationships
S. Tatsunami', M. Hayashi2, R. Kuwabara'. 'Radioisotope Research Institute,
St. Marianna Univ School of Med., St. Marianna University School of Medicine,
2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, 216-8511, Japan; 2Dept of
Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan
Background: The term patronized sexual relationship (PSR) applies to adult
men enticing young girls to perform sexual intercourse by offering them money
or goods. The difference between commercial prostitution and PSR is that in the
latter the girls are not professionals but usually high school students. Widespread
occurrence of PSR is a major social problem in Japan. Therefore we investigated
the attitude toward PSR among high school students in first grade.
Methods: Responses were measured by ordinal variables with three ranks. The
attitude toward PSR was subsequently expressed by a dichotomous variable defined by the summation of the ordinal variables. The logistic regression method
was utilized to evaluate the relationship between the attitude toward PSR and the
responses in the questionnaires.
Results: A total of 321 high school students in first grade was studied. Fear
of AIDS and prejudice against people with AIDS were extracted as statistically
significant variables with negative coefficients (p<0.05) among girls. In contrast,
knowledge of AIDS, fear of AIDS and experience of sexual intercourse became
statistically significant with negative coefficients (p<0.05) in boys. Thus there was
a common tendency for a stronger fear of AIDS to be associated with a lesser likelihood of admitting to PSR. The possibility of infection with HIV, frequent talking
about HIV/AIDS, action in case of being infected with HIV, experience of kissing, and use of telephone amusement networks were not extracted as statistically
significant variables in either boys or girls.
Conclusions: The difference between boys and girls appears natural because
the role of each in PSR is usually opposite. The observed relationship between
the fear of AIDS and admitting to PSR implies that appropriate education about
HIV/AIDS in junior high school could potentially prevent students from embarking
on high-risk sexual relationships.
Presenting author: Shinobu Tatsunami, St. Marianna University School of
Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, 216-8511, Japan, Tel.: +81 44

977 8111, Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]