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

126 Abstracts WePeC6178-WePeC6182

XIV International AIDS Conference

WePeC61 78 Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections and
HIV among long distance truckers of Eastern India
B. Panda. Bhoruka Public Welfare Trust, 63, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road,
Kolkata-700016, India
Background: As a part of the impact assessment project to review the impact
of the ongoing AIDS prevention and control programs in Eastern India, Bhoruka
Public Welfare Trust conducted an STI/HIV prevalence survey among the long
distance inter-city truck drivers and helpers (truckers) of Calcutta Port Trust area,
with technical assistance from Family Health Intentional and funding from Department For International Development-UK.
Methods: A total of 403 truckers were mobilized, out of which 335 were enrolled
into the study At the beginning, informed consent was obtained from the trucker.
Then a behavioral questionnaire was administrated, following which clinical examinationspecimen collection and laboratory tests were done. All the truckers were
screened for syphilis, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and genital clamydial, hepatitis B and HIV by different tests. Treatments for STIs and other diseases were
provided based on clinical and laboratory findings. Data entry and analysis were
done in SPSS 10 for windows.
Results: Truckers were between the age of 18 to 45 years. Majority of truckers
were from Bihar (62%), UP (21.4%), and West Bengal (7.5%). The prevalence
of different STIs based on the laboratory tests were syphilis (positive TPHA test)
6.3%; active syphilis 1.2%; gonorrhoea 1.8%; genital clamydial infection 1.2%;
hepatitis B 6.3%; and HIV 2.98%. The STI syndromes diagnosed included genital
ulcers (3%), scrotal swelling (1.8%) urethral discharge (1.5%).
Conclusions: This study shows that high-risk behaviour of having sex with Female Sex Workers without use of condom is common among many truckers
of Eastern India. Prevention and Interverventions need to be intensified among
these groups. To discern the trend, it will be necessary to implement subsequent
studies at regular interval following similar design and methodology.
Presenting author: Biswajit Panda, 63, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, Kolkata700016, India, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected].
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WePeC6179 Targeting HIV prevention for gay men:
triangulation of survey data, clinic attendances
and incident infection to determine the value of
bar-based health promotion in Scotland
G.J. Hart', L.M. Williamson', C.A. Redman2, C.J. Thow3, A.J. Winter3. 1MRC
Social & Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, MRC Social &
Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, 4 Lilybank Gardens,
GLASGOW, G3 8LQ, United Kingdom; 2Scottish Centre for Infection &
Environmental Health, Glasgow, United Kingdom; 3Sandyford Initiative, Glasgow
Primary Care NHS Trust, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Background: As part of the evaluation of the Gay Men's Task Force, a peer education sexual health intervention in Glasgow, we tested the appropriateness of
our strategy by combining three data sets: a sexual behaviour survey, clinic attendance and incident infection. The aim was to validate the policy of targeting bars
rather than geographic areas for HIV prevention.
Methods: We surveyed 1442 men attending 5 bars in January 1999, focusing
on recent unprotected anal intercourse (UAI). We used national genitourinary
medicine (GUM) data sets to collate reports of acute sexually transmitted infections (STI) in and attendances by gay men resident in Glasgow for 1998 (one year
prior) and 1999 (one year subsequent) to the bar survey. The data were combined
to determine whether there were correlations between postcodes (n=66) and risk
exposure, attendance at GUM services and episodes of infection.
Results: Numbers of gay men in Glasgow attending GUM clinics and diagnosed
with STI was in the range 1-89 GUM attendances (p<0.001) and 0-24 episodes
of STI (p<0.001) per postcode. Men in areas with more STI episodes were significantly more likely to report UAI with casual partners than men in areas with few
episodes (p=0.033). The effects on individual sexual risk behaviour of area level
differences in GUM attendance, STI and the ratio between these were tested using logistic regression. Men in areas with many STI episodes, GUM attendance
or higher ratio of STI to non-STI episodes were no more likely to report UAI, UAI
with casual partners, or more sex partners than men in lower incidence areas.
Conclusions: By combining three types of surveillance data we were able to
demonstrate that a strategy of bar-based health promotion was an appropriate
use of resources, as there was no area effect in relation to risk behaviours, attendances and STI. Data triangulation proved useful in validating the approach
taken to HIV prevention.
Presenting author: Graham Hart, MRC Social & Public Health Sciences Unit,
University of Glasgow, 4 Lilybank Gardens, GLASGOW, G3 8LQ, United Kingdom, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: g.hart
@ msoc.mrc.gla.ac.uk

WePeC6180I Sexual behaviors among Thai non-commercial sex
women
W. Sinchal', K. Roibang2, B. Sirirojn3, S. Sriplienchan4, R. Huansuriya5,
K. Buranapanitkit6, S. Rugpao7, C. Morrison8, D.D. Celentano9. 'Health
Promotion Center 6, Research Institute for Health Sciences, PO Box 80, CMU,
Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50202, Thailand; 2lHealth Promotion Center
6, Khon Kaen, Thailand; 32Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai
University, Chiang Mai, Thailand; 4Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, United
States; 5Health Promotion Center, Region 10, Chiang Mai, Thailand;
65Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Songkla, Thailand; 7Department
of obstetrics and gynecology and Gynaecology Faculty of medicine, Chiang Mai
University Chiang Mai, Thailand; 8 Family Health International, North Caroina,
United States; 98Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, United States
Background/Objective: The major mode of HIV transmission in Thailand is heterosexual, where non-commercial sex women generally acquire HIV infection
from their husbands. HIV epidemic is different among the four regions of Thailand, i.e, North, Northeast, South and Central. The baseline data obtained from
the study "Hormonal Contraception and the Risk of HIV Acquisition (HIVNET Protocol 021)" allowed us to 1) determine the pattern of sexual behaviors in Thai noncommercial sex women by regions 2) compare the prevalence of high risk sexual
behaviors across regions and 3) determine factors affecting high risk behaviors.
Method: Sexually active women recruited were interviewed for sexual behaviors
during the last 12 and 3 months. Only 1398 women who were not commercial sex
workers were recruited for this analysis.
Results: More than 90% of women reported having had only one sexual partner.
The median (range) frequency of sexual intercourse per month was 5 (1-30) and
was highest in the Central and lowest in the South. A proportion of women practiced oral or anal sex was higher in the Central than in the other regions. Only
13.8% of women had used male condoms and there was no difference across
the regions. Risk sexual behavior factors that were significantly different among
regions included women's factors:- oral or anal sex, having sex while under the
influence of alcohol or drugs, STD symptoms and multiple sexual partners; and
sexual partner's factors:- spending overnight away from home, genital ulcers, and
having had sex with other women. Women in the Central region tended to report more risk sexual behaviors than women in the other regions. Multiple logistic
regression analysis revealed that factors affecting high risk sexual behaviors included geographic regions, husband's occupation and types of contraceptive use.
Conclusion: Sexual behaviors and the prevalence of high risk sexual behaviors
were different across the 4 geographic regions of Thialnd.
Presenting author: Sungwal Rugpao, Research Institute for Health Sciences,
PO Box 80, CMU, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50202, Thailand, Tel.:
[phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: surugpao @ mail.med.ac.th
WePeC681 15 years of behavioural surveillance in Switzerland
F. Dubois-Arber, A. Jeannin, F. Moreau-Gruet, F Benninghoff, B. Spencer.
IUMSP, IUMSP, Bugnon 17, CH 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
Background: Since 1987, in the framework of the evaluation of Swiss HIV/Aids
strategy, repeated national surveys on HIV related behaviours have been regularly conducted among the general population, men having sex with other men
(MSMs), and i/v drug users (IDUs) (from 1993).
Methods: a) CATI representative survey of the resident population aged 17-45
in: 1987, 88, 89, 90, 92, 94, 97, 2000; b) national survey using self-administered
questionnaire inserted in gay newspapers in: 1987, 90, 92, 94, 97, 2000; c) national survey using partly self-administered questionnaire conducted in the clientele of needle-exchange programmes in: 1993, 94, 96, 2000.
Results: Among MSMs and IDUs, significant levels of protection were already
present when surveys began. Trends show that high levels of preventive behaviour have been attained in the 3 populations. The 2000 surveys show a slight
decrease in protection, and identify subsets of populations with higher risk taking.
This decrease is far less that expected and feared by prevention specialists in the
context of HAART, but is sufficient to hoghlight the need to re-boost prevention
efforts.
Conclusions: Long term behavioural surveillance in key populations allows for
the detection of possible early signs of prevention fatigue, the assessment of their
significance and informs prevention activities.
Presenting author: Francoise Dubois-Arber, IUMSP, Bugnon 17, CH 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
fdubois@ inst.hospvd.ch
WePeC6182 Aids Epidemic: an increase in the number of cases
among youngsters in the State of Sao Paulo?
A. Tayra, S. Romera, N.J.S. Santos, E.A.C. Ruiz, l.A. Guibu, L.F. Jamal,
C.S.B. Domingues. STD/A/DS Trainning and Referral Center, R Santa Cruz 81 -
Vigildncia Epidemiol6dgica, Vila Mariana, S5o Paulo- SP CEP 04121-000, Brazil
Background: Aids has always mainly affected young adults. In recent years,
however, questions have been raised as to the possibility of Aids affecting more
youngsters.
Methods: 101,503 Aids cases diagnosed between 1980 and 1998 in the State of
Sao Paulo-Brazil were studied. Incidence rates by age, gender and major exposure categories were calculated.