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

154 Abstracts WePpD2108-WePeD6273

XIV International AIDS Conference

WePpD2108 Evaluation of an occupational community as a
potential cohort for HIV-1 vaccine efficacy trials in
Uganda
S. Declich1, P. Francesconi1, C. Kityo2, M. Fabianil, M.G. Dentel,
P. Mugyenyi2, R. Mugerwa3, E. Mbidde4. 'Infectious Diseases Unit, Laboratory
of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Istituto Superiore di Saniti, Laboratory of
Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Istituto Superiore di Sanit&, Viale regina Elena
299, 00161 - Rome, Italy; 2Joint Clinical Research Centre, Kampala, Uganda;
3Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 4Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala,
Uganda
Background: In the framework of the international efforts in the development of
HIV vaccines, we evaluated the appropriateness of an occupational community
as a potential cohort for HIV-1 vaccine efficacy trials in Uganda.
Methods: In 2001, a total of 646 consenting workers of the Sugar Corporation
Of Uganda LTD (SCOUL) were tested for HIV-1 infection and interviewed, collecting information on their socio-demographic characteristics, stability, sexual behaviours, risk perception, and availability for participation to HIV-1 vaccine efficacy
trials.
Results: A total of 542 (83.8%) workers are males and 78.8% resulted in stable
union with a regular partner. The mean age is 31.0 years (SD=7.6) and the median level of education is completed primary school. The median time planned to
remain for working at SCOUL is 7 years and the median duration of past employment is 5 years. Almost 90% of the workers were sexually active in the past six
months: 47.8% of them reported having had intercourse with new partners and
40.5% reported to have not always used condom with casual partners. During the
past six months, 22.5% of the workers think to have been at risk of getting HIV,
and 29.3% think that their regular partners have been. Almost 90% of the workers would participate in studies aimed at testing a new HIV-1 preventive vaccine,
reporting a high availability for follow-up (median time = 5 years). Finally, the estimated HIV-1 prevalence was 10.0% (95% Cl: 7.8%-12.6%), with a significantly
higher prevalence observed among female (17.9%; 95% Cl: 11.2%-26.6%) than
among male workers (8.4%; 95% Cl: 6.2-11.1).
Conclusions: The SCOUL workers community appears potentially suitable as
a cohort for HIV-1 vaccine efficacy trials, and studies aimed at estimating HIV-1
incidence among this population could provide further indications.
Presenting author: Silvia Declich, Laboratory of Epidemiology and Biostatistics,
Istituto Superiore di Sanit&, Viale regina Elena 299, 00161 - Rome, Italy, Tel.:
[phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeD6270 Behavioral surveys in female sex workers in
middle China
X. Wang1, J.G. Shan1, Z.B. Xia2, S.B. Wei3. 1Wuhan public health and
anti-epidemic station, 24 Jianghanbei road, Wuhan, Hubei, P.R. China 430022,
China; 2Huangpi public health station, Huangpi,h China; Wuhan Health Bureau,
Wuhan, China
Background: The estimated number of HIV/AIDS in China is about 600,000 by
the end of year 2000. With support from WHO-Western Pacific Office, the pilot
project of 100% Condom Use Program (100% CUP) was started in Middle China,
Wuhan in Dec., 2000. Behavior surveys were planed to be conducted before and
after the interventions to help evaluate the impact of the program.
Methods: The intervention site of the 100% CUP is a suburb district in Wuhan,
including two tourism areas and an urban area. After obtaining policy commitment
from local authority, Community Outreach Workers (CHOWs) were trained before
interventions. A total of 170 FSWs participated in the initial survey before interventions. Interviewers were CHOWs and information was gathered by confidential
face-to-face interview at the EEs sites.
Results: The mean age of surveyed subjects was 20.3 years (range: 15-31).
About 26% of FSWs were local residents and 74% came from other areas.
The majority 91.7% of FSWs was unmarried; mean year of education was 8.17
(range:0-13). The mean age at first sexual contact was 17.6 (range: 14-23). The
mean number of clients in the last week was 5.8 (range: 0-20). Requiring clients
to use condom was reported in 88.8% of FSWs but only 29.8% of them used condom consistently in the last year. The most frequent reasons that FSWs did not
use condom is the uncomfortable feeling of clients (88.2%), trust in familiar clients
(31.8%), "clean and graceful" looking of clients (22.4%). Condom use at last sex
with clients was found in 78.7%. Self-reported history of STD was reported in
63.5%, 16% received no treatment, 40% of treated women received treatment
through private clinics.
Conclusions: Condom use in commercial sex remains low in Middle China.
There is a needs to implement early the 100% condom use program in entertainment establishments The outreach work would be carried out to complement
this strategy. STI service among FSWs should also be improved.
Presenting author: Xia Wang, 24 Jianghanbei road, Wuhan, Hubei, PR. China
430022, China, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: fangyike
@public.wh.hb.cn

WePeD6271I EduTainment: Lessons Learned from the Youth
Health Organization (YOHO) of Botswana
N.E. Moseki, L.S. Leatlhama, E. Matlhadisa, EL. Oteng, C. Masala,
I. Opelokgale, S. Baker, K. Lottering. YOHO, Gaborone, Botswana
Issues: Botswana is one of the most affected countries by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The infection rate of 15-30 year olds (the most economically productive
years of life) is currently the highest in the world - averaging nationwide at close to
50% of the population. These rates may be a direct consequence of unprotected
sexual behavior. Studies conducted in Botswana seem to suggest that some underlying cultural and socio-economic factors may be associated with these behaviors.
Descriptions: The Youth Health Organization (YOHO) is the a group of motivated
youth who are committed to helping their peers in reducing HIV/AIDS, STDs, and
unplanned teenage pregnancies in Botswana. YOHO was founded in May 1999 -
based on the premise that most IEC programs for youth are ineffective because
they are are run by adults. Being a for youth/by youth organization, YOHO attempts to reach youth at a much more appropriate level.
Lessons learned: YOHO has learned that programs implemented for youth/by
youth a much more effective because:
(1) there is more dedication to a common goal: YOHO members are motivated by
the desire to help thier peers - not by financial renumeration.
(2) free communicaiton between members: being for youth/by youth, YOHO members understand eachother better and trust eachother more readily.
(3) YOHO members are motiveated by the experience of losing friends and relatives
(4) Music/ Edutainment is the key factor: having a public address sysem attracts
attention and keeps other youth interested in the sexual health messages
Recommendations:
(1) For Youth/By Youth programs should be implemented as a key intervention in
reaching youth
(2) For Youth/By Youth programs need training on peer education, leadership and
advocacy skills
(3) Edutainment interenvetions empower youth and gives a sense of ownership
(4) Young people should be decision makers for their educational activities with
support from adults for sustainability.
Presenting author: Lorato Leatlhama, c/o Botusa, Box 90, Gaborone,
Botswana, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: leatlhama@yahoo.
com
WePeD6272 Intervention to address the issues of HIV /AIDS /
STD with the cinema viewers of Red Light Area
RP.N. Gavit. Pandit, Asha Project, Mumbai, India
Background: The Project has identified 25 Cinema Theaters, which are well connected with the Red Light Area. The assessment study was done and the need
was raised to deal with cinema viewers, who come in the Red Light Areas to see
erotic Movies. This is the pulling factor for the cinema viewers. It was noted that
out of the total cinema viewers 40 to 50% viewers after getting sexually excited,
motivated to visit sex worker and indulged in high risk behaviour.
Method: The ASHA Project has developed indigenous and rational methods to
reach cinema viewers with the messages of prevention of HIV /AIDS /STD effectively. The Project has created various innovative Information Education & Communication Materials such as Slide Shows, Cinema, Mimicry Scripts, Posters in
showcase, Short Movies. The project has strengthened rapport with the theater
management & Staff for the effective implementation of the regular activities. The
project conducts Corner Meetings and One to One counselling to cinema viewers
as per their requirements and also conducts mimicry shows inside the Cinema
Theatre premises.
Results: Interventions with the cinema viewers helps to reach more numbers
of potential clients with the message of HIV / AIDS / STD Prevention & Control
effectively. The Project has counselled up till now twelve thousands (12000no.)
cinema viewers, out of it many more were referred to STI checkup & treatment.
It has resulted in reduction of HIV / AIDS / STD infection and promotion of safer
sexual practices in the long run.
Conclusion: It is need of the hour to have consistent effective intervention programme for the cinema viewers of the Red Light Area of Bombay Metro City. This
Intervention unit programme plays pivotal role in the Prevention & Control of HIV
/AIDS /STD. Approaches and methods to be localized as per the need of the
cinema viewers to deal effectively.
Presenting author: Pandit Gavit, Asha Project, 2nd Floor, Municipal Eye Hospital, M.S. Ali Road, Mumbai - 400 008, India, Tel.: [phone], Fax: +91 022
3007643, E-mail: [email protected]
WePeD6273 Epidemiological of supervision cariet out outreach
worker

S. Katantsyev. Omsk, Prospekt Koroleva, 26, Office 52, Russian Federation
Problems: Information's of State Bodies of Public Health services about a real
situation of things in communities of the consumers of narcotic substances, as
that: a real situation on HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases; real statistics up to
demographic and social structure IDU's; attempts to generate uniform strategy of
preventive maintenance HIV/AIDS between state and not state organizations.