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

200 Abstracts WePeE6453-WePeE6456

XIV International AIDS Conference

National Council for Population and Development found that 52% of unmarried
youth aged between 15 and 19 had begun sexual activity: 65% of boys compared
to 39% of girls.
Based on the 1998 Kenya Demography & Health Survey (DHS), youth receive
most of their information on AIDS through the mass media. However, youth have
continued to be vulnerable and all effective approaches of addressing their risk
must be identified and used, with a specific focus on local and sustainable resources available in the communities.
Methods: A qualitative study carried out in Kitui and Machakos districts of the
Eastern province of Kenya used focus group discussions (FGDs), in-depth interviews, observation and secondary data analysis to define and establish if and
how indigenous knowledge and resources can be used for HIV/AIDS education
for youth. The research process facilitated an action plan to integrate indigenous
knowledge in educational programs and policies.
Results: The community members, particularly youth, highlighted the significance of indigenous and interpersonal channels of communication such as parents, grandparents, village elders and church leaders in playing a critical role in
an effective HIV/AIDS program. The homestead, community meetings, schools,
and youth camps were identified as some of the forums where these groups can
communicate and educate young people using local knowledge and resources.
The community meeting or 'chief's baraza' was used as the main forum for discussions on how to more effectively integrate indigenous knowledge and resources
into existing communication and educational processes in the community.
Conclusion: Policymakers, communication and education specialists must consider all relevant approaches in policy and program design.
Presenting author: Ndunge Kiiti, 110 North Decatur Lane, Decatur, GA, 30033,
United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: nkiiti@map.
org
WePeE6453 Design and implementation of a novel
community-based education program to support
HIV vaccine clinical trials
S. Wearins M. Simek, K.A. Oursler, D. Payne, F Cleghorn, W.A. Blattner. IHV,
725 west lombard street, baltimore, md 21201, United States
Background: Developing culturally relevant educational programs in preparation
for HIV vaccine trials is a high priority. Communities around the US and the world
need to be educated and prepared for future large-scale HIV vaccine efficacy
trials. A multi-faceted program was designed and implemented for education, recruitment, enrollment and retention of volunteer populations from diverse ethnic
groups, communities, and populations in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan
area.
Methods: Mass communication strategies and social learning theories were applied to create positive messages specific to HIV preventive vaccine research.
Educational modules and materials were developed through focus groups from
each constituency, then by field-testing. Community stakeholders were recruited
to form a community advisory board to provide feedback and to act as volunteer
advocates.
Results: Project BRAVE (Baltimore Regional Alliance for the Vaccine Effort), over
a 12-month period of community education and outreach resulted in recruitment
and enrollment of volunteers into Phase 1/11 HIV preventive vaccine clinical trials.
For every three individuals screened, one participant was enrolled, compared to
1:5-10 in prior studies. Materials include culturally sensitive vaccine education
brochures depicted on a multi-ethnic background with people of various hues
holding hands in front of a globe with the red ribbon. A database of present and
future volunteers, community and church-based service providers, AIDS service
organizations, and governmental and non-governmental agencies was created.
Conclusion: Multi-cultural and community sensitive HIV Vaccine Preventive educational programs based in social learning theory and process evaluation may
prove more effective than previous programs. This approach to educational programming may prove to be more effective for recruitment and enrollment of large
numbers of diverse individuals required for Phase III studies.
Presenting author: sandra wearins, 725 west lombard street, baltimore, md
21201, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: wearins
@umbi.umd.edu
WePeE6454 Community Participation in HIV/AIDS awareness -
Effective Method for HIV/AIDS awareness in the
rural area of Western Rajasthan
H.S. Rapurohit1, A. Purohit2, J. Mora3, G.S. Rajpurohit4, K.C. Joshi4. 1FXB
Rajasthan Society FXB Rajasthan Society l-B, Onkar Bhawan, Opp Mahila
Police Thana, Police Line, Ratanada, Jodhpur 342011, India; 2FXB India, New
Delh4 India; 3 FXB US Foundation, Boston, United States; 4 FXB Rajasthan,
Jodhpur, India
ISSUUE Most cases of HIV infection in rural areas of Rajasthan are seen in the

migrating population. Migrant workers, mainly men, after being exposed to unprotected sex and other high-risk behaviors in the big cities, infect their spouses
when they come back to the villages. For that reason, AFXB Khichan initiated
awareness programs on HIV/AIDS/STDs issues in these villages.
Descriptions: FXB has been regularly conducting health camps in rural villages
in Rajasthan. Migrants constitute approximately 25% of the 98,360 total population of the 25 villages targeted with our programs. The main objectives of our

intervention have been to prevent new HIV infections and to involve more closely
the whole community in HIV/AIDS/STDs prevention activities. Due to the high
rates of illiteracy in these villages, AFXB Khichan has used the method of participatory rural appraisal [PRA] method. Under this strategy, villagers under our
guidance sit to discuss and deal with various day-to-day problems which are affecting their lives, including health problems. This strategy has allowed people
from the community to discuss those main HIV/AIDS issues that are affecting the
community.
Lessons learned: The communities that have been using this strategy have been
satisfied with this way of discussing their problems. This method of approaching
the community has allowed us to get the thinking and experience of the community and, at the same time, to educate members of the community about their
own abilities to control the HIV epidemic in their settings. Using the PRA method,
women have been also permitted to participate in the discussion of issues concerning the community.
Conclusions: Using the PRA method, migrant workers and their families can
easily be made aware of the impact of the HIV epidemic in their communities.
They also can be more involved in decisions and campaigns intended to control
the spread of the epidemic in their settings.
Presenting author: Hukam Singh Rajpurohit, FXB Rajasthan Society, 1-B, Onkar
Bhawan, Opp Mahila Police Thana, Police Line, Ratanada, Jodhpur 342011, India, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6455 Participatory action research with PLWHA in
Vietnam
L. Maher1, T. Tran2, P.L. Sargent1, M.G. Tran3. 1School of Public Health and
Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW Australia;
2AIDS Committee, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; 3CARE International, Hanoi,
Vietnam
Background: PLWHA in developing countries are often viewed as ignorant or
indifferent about their health and are rarely consulted about ways of promoting or
improving their wellbeing. As part of a project designed to build capacity for care
and support in Vietnam, PLWHA were invited to assess their needs for access
and referral within the health care system.
Methods: The study sought to identify and understand, from the perspective
of participants, challenges and opportunities for improving access and referrals.
PLWHA Counterparts were trained in participatory action research methods and
subsequently completed fieldwork, narrative data collection and co-facilitated focus groups with PLWHA peers.
Results: PLWHA are a significant but under-utilised resource in responding to the
epidemic in Vietnam. PLWHA demonstrated a capacity to elicit valid and reliable
information from their peers and to use this to assess their needs. Data indicate
the existence of considerable barriers to care and support including stigma and
discrimination, lack of confidentiality and inadequate and inappropriate treatment.
Self-medication, to avoid both discrimination and fees, was common and may increase the likelihood of complications and late presentation.
Conclusions: Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS enhances local responses to the epidemic. Elsewhere the involvement of affected communities has been identified as an essential component of effective responses. In
Vietnam, where participation has been limited by a lack of independent nongovernment organizations, there is a need for greater involvement of PLWHA.
Health care settings are predominantly where PLWHA experience discrimination
and stigma and there is little sense of a partnership between affected communities and health professionals. Consideration should be given to supporting the
development of peer-based organisations to provide mechanisms for advocacy
by, and greater involvement of, PLWHA.
Presenting author: Lisa Maher, School of Public Health and Community
Medicine, University of NSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia, Tel.: [phone],
Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6456 Roles of academic institution in enhancing care
for people living with HIV and AIDS
W. Senaratana, S. Yimyam,. Nantachaipan, T. Suwanpraphit, C. Pojanamart.
Chiang Mai University, Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Issues: Four interrelated missions of Chiang Mai university as an academic institution include teaching, research, providing academic services, and preservation
of culture and tradition. Integration of academic potential into practice in all missions is very important and a challenging task.
Descriptions: A multidisciplinary research project on enhancing care for people
infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS has been conducted in Northern Thailand. This project has been supported by the Harvard AIDS Institute. There are
six organizations from governmental, non-governmental, and community organizations involve in the project which leaded by the faculty of nursing, Chiang Mai
university. This academic institution has function in project management and co
ordination among the team. It provides productive environment and facilities for
working together as partnerships. This academic organization facilitate in organizing lesson learned throughout the project. In addition to the research participants,
the students are also involved in the learning process by the project.
Lesson learned: Important roles of the academic organization in the multidisciplinary and multisectoral developmental project in enhancing care initiative are
promotion of learning process, organizing lesson learned from direct experience,