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

184 Abstracts WePeD6403-WePeD6407

XIV International AIDS Conference

Methods: Using a multi-stage cluster sample, 988 sexually active men and 1260
sexually active women were interviewed regarding their use of condoms, psychosocial factors related to condom use, and their exposure to mass mediated
and community-based components of the Love Life, Stop AIDS communication
campaign in Ghana. Multivariate linear and logistic regression models were used
to estimate the associations between type of exposure, psychosocial factors, and
reported condom use at last sex separately for men and women.
Results: Among men, exposure to messages through either mass media or
community-based channels was associated with several condom-related psychosocial factors, although condom use at last sex was only associated with
community-based exposure. Among women, mass media exposure alone was
associated with most of the condom-related psychosocial factors and with condom use at last sex.
Conclusions: These results suggest that gender may mediate the effectiveness
of a communication channel promoting condom use and highlight the need to
use both mass media and community-based approaches to maximize the reach
and effectiveness of a communication program promoting HIV-protective behavior
change.
Presenting author: Marc Boulay, Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs, 111 Market Place, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21202, United States, Tel.:
[phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeD6403 Evidence for the applicability of a western theory
of sexual risk behavior among adolescents in
Ethiopia
H. Astatke1, M. Black2. 'Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public
Health, center for adolescent health, johns hopkins university, 2007 east
monument street, baltimore, md 21205, United States; 2University of Maryland
School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
Background: The high rate of HIV infection among African adolescents and the
absence of African-based behavioral theories lead policymakers to adapt Western theories to African settings when developing theory-based HIV-prevention
programs. The present study tests the applicability of Jessor's theoretical framework for understanding the sexual behaviors of Ethiopian adolescents.
Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to examine sexual behaviors
among 537 male and female Ethiopian high school students between the ages
of 13 and 20. Risk and protective factors were identified through focus group discussions conducted with teachers, parents and youth.
Results: Results from exploratory regression and logistic analyses indicate an
association between individual protective and risk factors and involvement in
adolescent sexual behaviors. Self-efficacy, academic achievement, family involvement and substance abuse were the most reliable factors associated with sexual
behaviors. Protective factors (e.g., AIDS knowledge and school attendance) moderated the relationship between risk factors and involvement in sexual behaviors.
That is, protective factors lessen the influence that risk factors have on adolescent
involvement in sexual behaviors.
Conclusions: These findings provide evidence for the cross-cultural applicability
of Jessor's theory and for the translation of
Western theories into non-Western cultures, as long as risk and protective factors
are operationalized using culturally sensitive constructs from local informants. Intervention programs should address adolescents' 1) beliefs about themselves,
2) values and expectations about attaining goals 3) perceptions of support and
models, and 4) involvement in socially approved or prohibited behaviors. Based
on these findings, we provide specific programmatic recommendations, that are
congruent with youth focused strategies proposed by the current Ethiopian national HIV/AIDS policy.
Presenting author: hibist astatke, center for adolescent health, johns hopkins
university, 2007 east monument street, baltimore, md 21205, United States, Tel.:
[phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeD6404 The ties that bind: A methodology for examining
gay men's social and sexual networks
J.W. Grierson, A.M.A. Smith, D. Wain, M.K. Pitts. ARCSHS, La Trobe University
Melbourne, Australia
Background: Traditionally, risk of HIV and STI transmission has been examined
on the basis of individual or population characteristics. However, the critical analysis of the structural and relational aspects of social and sexual networks may be
more useful for the development of strategically targeted prevention interventions.
The Victorian Network Study (VINES) has been designed with gay men's social
and sexual networks as the unit of analysis.
Methodology: This is an interviewer administered questionnaire study. The instrument used covers egocentric characteristics of the participants' social and
sexual lives and generates maps of their social and sexual networks. The study
uses a generative sampling strategy with strategic index cases and a total par
ticipant sample of 500. Participants are sampled into the study through networks
generated during interviews. The network maps generated for each participant
are interlinked using the identifying details of shared network members. Analysis
of networks is able to reveal structural characteristics of HIV/STI risk that would be
invisible within traditional egocentric or population based analyses. These characteristics will provide opportunities for the critique of current prevention strategies
and opportunities to refocus prevention education activities.

Presenting author: Anthony Smith, ARCSHS, LaTrobe University, 215 Franklin
Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone]
5220, E-mail: j.grierson @ latrobe.edu.au
WePeD6405 Knowledge and feelings - commitment with life
G. Rigotti, C. Rigotti, C. Fernandes, E. Mattos, D.S. Gaio, M.C. Sales,
N. Barcellos, S. d'Avila. Hea/lth State Secretariat, Av Borges de Medeiros, 1501,
5th level, north, room 01, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Issue: Twenty years of fight against HIV/AIDS epidemic showed us that there is
still a long distance between being informed and behavior changing related with
infection prevention and management.
Description: Between 1999 and 2000, in Rio Grande do Sul, the southest
State of Brazil, several workshops directed to physicians, social assistants, biochemistries, psychologists, nurses, dentists, adolescents, teachers, prisoners, indians, communitary health workers, travesties, male sex workers, university students, women and persons living with HIV and AIDS have been developed. In
dynamics handling with day to day life worth and life loss compared to loss imposed by HIV and AIDS to human being, between 10 working groups composed
by 299 persons, the most important values nominated were: values relates to
family (45,5%), life and health (19,9%), positive feelings like love, friendship, faith,
peace (15,05%), work (13,2%), material proprieties (5,2%), freedom (1,1%) and
others (1%). This values were similar in each of the target population.
Lessons learned: It has been demonstrated that the most important values were
related to family, life, health, positive feelings and work. It was demonstrated that
the values were almost the same despite the cultural, economic, social, gender
and ethnic diversity.
Recommendations: In all the educative activities related to HIV and AIDS prevention that aim interventions directed to handle with individual and social vulnerability it is indispensable to consider the values nominated as the way to reach the
individual commitment with the acquired knowledge and the individual behavioral
change.
Presenting author: Geralda Rigotti, Av Borges de Medeiros, 1501, 5th level,
north, room 01, Porto Alegre, Brazil, Tel.: [phone], Fax: +55 51
32216677, E-mail: [email protected]
WePeD6406I Managing uncertainty: risk and unprotected anal
intercourse among gay men who do not know
their HIV status
P. Weatherburn, P. Keogh, L. Henderson, F Hickson, D.S. Reid. University of
Portsmouth, Sigma Research, Unit 64, Eurolink Centre, 49 Effra Road, London,
SW2 1BZ, United Kingdom
Background: Current HIV prevention for gay men relies on the assumption that
knowledge of HIV status is necessary in order to engage in risk reduction strategies involving UAI. How do men who report not knowing their HIV status manage
HIV risk associated with unprotected anal intercourse (UAI)?
Methods: Thirty-four men who maintained that they didn't know their HIV status (in spite of previously testing negative) were recruited through community
sources. In-depth interviews explored how they came to not know their status;
the meanings they attached to it and how they managed sexual risk. Interviews
were audio-taped and transcribed. Full thematic analyses were conducted.
Results: Most were unsure of their HIV status because they had previously taken
risks: either a series of 'minor' risks or a one-off incident of unprotected anal intercourse. Context was central to men's judgements. They were open to the possibility of being HIV positive when they talked about their health and well-being.
However, in terms of managing future sexual risk they assumed they were not
infected and sought to protect themselves from HIV infection.
Conclusions: These findings undermine the assumption that gay men need to
test in order to engage in risk reduction strategies involving UAI. First, the knowledge generated by a negative HIV test result is temporary and therefore unreliable
for many gay men. Second, men can and do utilise risk reduction strategies involving UAI in the absence of a negative test result. Third, testing is more likely to
be related to concerns about health and well being rather than future sexual risk.
Presenting author: Peter Weatherburn, Sigma Research, Unit 64, Eurolink Centre, 49 Effra Road, London, SW2 1BZ, United Kingdom, Tel.: [phone],
Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeD6407 Behavior change spider charts: an effective
planning tool for behavior change programs in
Myanmar
Steven Honeyman, E. Stout, D. Tin Aung. PSI, Yangon
Creating effective programs for behavior change for HIV/AIDS prevention is complex. Behavior Change Spider Charts (BCSC) are an effective planning tool for

HIV/AIDS programs for at-risk populations such as mobile migrant populations
in Myanmar. BCSC is a behavior change analysis system that allows for the prioritization of messages for any sub-population at risk. Using a combination of
qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, prevention messages can
developed and prioritized. Using BCSC can assist programmers in the field in designing and implementing highly targeted and effective campaigns and programs.
BCSC was used to develop a behavior change campaign using various BCC ma