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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts WePeD6327-WePeD6331 167

WePeD6327 Characterization of health education practices
addressed to commercial sex workers (CSW) in
Brazil
K.M.A. Guimar.es1, A.M.M. Godoi1, E. Merchan-Hamann1, J.M.J. Andrade',
D. Serafim2, L. Ribeiro2. 1University of Brasilia, SQN 410, Bloco N, Apt. 301,
Asa Norte, Brasilia DF, CEP 70.865-140, Brazil; 2STD/Aids National
Coordination, Brasflia, Brazil
Background: A nation-wide study was carried out in order to evaluate the impact of interventions to prevent STD, HIV/AIDS transmission. We evaluated 7
Non Governmental Organization (NGO) projects and 1 Governmental project addressed to female CSW. Three aspects of educational health practices were evaluated: (1) health education strategies; (2) contents regarding gender and civil
rights; (3) political participation, social and empowerment contents.
Methods: In each city, one prevention project accredited and financed by the National AIDS Program was selected. We carried on 34 in-depth interviews (IDI) and
32 Focus Groups (FG) with CSW focusing on vulnerability and perceptions about
the interventions. Project coordinators were also interviewed and reports were
obtained for analysis. Observations on the spot were also registered.
Results: (1) Strategies. Health educational strategies utilized by all the projects
were based on peer-led education. The 8 projects make outreach activities involving condom distribution and written information. (2) Gender issues are discussed
but they are restricted to the sphere of the commercial activity. Intimate and romantic relationships are neglected. Health and reproductive rights of women are
seldom addressed. Abstract discourse of NGO cannot be transformed into actual political practices. (3) Lack of consciousness concerning civil rights hampers
self-organization initiatives. Therefore, empowerment is not achieved.
Conclusions: Peer education must include individual and collective empowerment promotion. Hence, private life and personal expectancies should be approached together with women rights.
Presenting author: Katia Maria Guimardes, SQN 410, Bloco N, Apt. 301, Asa
Norte, Brasilia DF, CEP 70.865-140, Brazil, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeD6328 To develop a non-profit website for HIV/AIDS in
China
H. Xu 1, Y. Zeng2, H. XU3. ' Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
Room 214, 27 Nan Wei Road, Beijing lO0050,China, China; 2National center for
disease prevention and control of china, beijing, China; 3editorial department of
international STD/AIDS newsletter, beijing, China
Issue: In order to implement health education among the general population and
two-way communication with the high-risk population and infected with HIV and
AIDS patients more effectively, the Chinese Foundation for prevention of STD &
AIDS (CFPSA) has developed a website, named as AIDS Online, sponsored by
Unicef in 2001.
Description: The website has been set up within about 6 months, staffs are all
part-timers, including scholar, IP engineer, medical professional and HIV positive
people. There are 10 channels, more than 50 web pages and 295,000 Chinese
characters information in the website, title of channel are all bilingual, the web
pages changed every month, information channel provide timely domestic and
oversea theme information, Q&A channel is welcomed by web visitors, AIDS Online can received questions every day, a forum channel for HIV/AIDS people is
operated in the website. The website has been registered by the main searching
engine in Chinese, for instance, Yahoo, Sohu, Search, at the mean time, it will be
link by many related website.
Lessons learned: Website on HIV/AIDS has played a increasing important role
in health education in China, it can provide a opportunity for visitors about some
privy issue and problem.
Recommendations: More interactive and convenient web service for
STD/HIV/AIDS should be provided, the target population of web should be accurate.
Presenting author: Huan Xu, Room 214, 27 Nan Wei Road, Beijing
100050,China, China, E-mail: [email protected]
WePeD6329 HIV/AIDS risk perception andsexual practices
among male commercial drivers in Ibadan, Nigeria
0. Akintola. University of natal, centre for gender studies, university of natal,
durban, 4041, South Africa
Background: hiv/aids is increasingly being recognized as a gender issue worldwide. In Nigeria, men's sexual behaviour influenced by cultural norms about masculinity create power and economic imbalances in favour of men and put both
sexes at risk of HIV/AIDS. Unfortunately, little is known about the nature and degree of risks created by these imbalances. This study aimed at understanding the
perception of HIV/AIDS risk and sexual practices among male commercial drivers

in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Methods: This exploratory qualitative study was carried out in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. Subjects were purposively selected to participate in 10 FGD
sessions held with 82 bus drivers from 2 of the 5 districts in the city
Results: Most of the subjects were married (26 - 70 years); others were single (18
- 25 years). Though subjects reported many drivers had unprotected sex with multiple sexual partners, many believed they could not contract HIV/AIDS because

they are 'skillful in selecting uninfected sexual partners'. Most regard females as
'fair game' for sex and thus take advantage of the relative poverty of female student commuters and women who hawk/trade in bus stations to have sex with them
in exchange for financial or in-kind payments since they are financially 'well-off'
than peers in other trades. Some stated that they sexually harass female traders
in the bus stations that do not befriend them. Young drivers reported they use
alcohol to enhance sexual performance. Most of the young drivers were unwilling to consider the use of condoms or partner reduction. However, adult drivers
preferred partner reduction to use of condoms.
Conclusions: Behaviour change intervention programs should seek to address
misconceptions about HIV/AIDS infection and transmission as well as negative
gender norms that increase women's vulnerability and sexual risk practices.
Presenting author: olagoke akintola, centre for gender studies, university of natal, durban, 4041, South Africa, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]
WePeD6330 Factors impacting a change in infant feeding
practices of HIV-infected Indian mothers
S.R. Jonnalaqaddal, N. Suryavanshi1, J. Sastry', A. Erande', K.E. Bharucha2
A. Shrotri2, R.C. Bollinger', A.V. Shankarl. 'Johns Hopkins University, 3501,
Saint Paul Street, Apartment # 940, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States; 2BJ
Medical college/Sassoon Hospital, Pune, India
Background: Prenatal counseling is key to helping HIV-infected mothers make
informed decisions about infant feeding practices. However, factors influencing a
postpartum change in her infant feeding decision are not clear.
Methods: Between August and December 2001, infant feeding intentions were
assessed on 31 consecutive, consenting HIV-infected pregnant mothers attending an antenatal clinic in Pune, India between 33 and 40 weeks gestation. Actual
infant feeding practices were assessed within 3 days postpartum for 26 delivered
mothers. Reasons for discordance between pre-delivery intention and postpartum
infant feeding practices were analyzed.
Results: Following initial counseling and prior to delivery, 18(58%) of 31 HIVinfected women intented to exclusively breast feed, 10(33%) intended to exclusively use replacement feeding(cow milk) and 3(9%) were undecided. Of the 26
women who delivered during the study period, 11(42%) reported postpartum infant feeding practice that differed from their prepartum intention, with mixed feeding being most common post-partum feeding practice(42%). Mothers intending
to exclusively breast feed appeared to change their minds postpartum more than
women intending to use exclusive replacement feeding (47% vs.38%, respectively). Factors associated with the likelihood of practicing a postpartum infant
feeding practice different from prepartum intention included nuliparity(OR=3.4),
post test counseling at >35 weeks gestation(OR=2.4) and limited understanding
of HIV(OR=3.73). Mothers who consulted their in laws (OR=0.65) or husbands
(OR=0.65) seemed less likely to change their intended feeding practice postpartum.
Conclusion: Despite prenatal intensions to exclusively breastfeed or replacement feed their infants, many women tend to provide mixed feeding. More intensive prenatal counseling involving husbands and family members may decrease
risk of mixed feeding in India.
Presenting author: Sasi Jonnalagadda, 3501, Saint Paul Street, Apartment #
940, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States, Tel.: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeD6331I Self-efficacy perception towards HIV preventive
messages among school-going adolescents in
Togo
M.S. Meijer', G. Tiendrebeoqo2, H.P. Schaalmal. 'Maastricht University,
mendelssohnlaan 89, 3055 hk, rotterdam, The Netherlands; 2Royal Tropical
Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Background: This study among 2000 secondary school took place in Togo and
aimed at assessing the effectiveness of an AIDS information brochure for African
school-going adolescents. In order to be effective, AIDS education messages
should be in line with students needs. Messages targeting young people in French
speaking West Africa have hardly paid attention to the psychosocial determinants of HIV preventive behaviour. Qualitative research can help learn more about
young people' self-efficacy perception with regarding abstinence, faithfulness and
condom use. Methodology: Scenario-based focus group interviews among girls
and boys aged twelve to eighteen, aimed at getting an insight in their perceived
self-efficacy towards the three main preventive strategies: abstinence, faithfulness
and condom use.
Results: 1) While young students believe they are able to delay sexual intercourse, older students express to have doubts about the feasibility of abstinence
- for a large deal due to what they coined "adolescence crisis". 2) Students' perceived capability of being faithful is equally based on love and religion. Here, girls

feel more confident than boys and even express doubts about boys' capability
to be faithful. 3) With regard to condom use students have rather positive feelings about their capability to purchase them. It is very difficult though to discuss
condom use with the sexual partner.
Conclusions: The gap between the promoted messages and students' perceived
self-efficacy in performing these behaviours suggest the need to tailor the messages as much as possible to students' realities and to provide them with the