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

202 Abstracts WePeE6462-WePeE6465

XIV International AIDS Conference

The Province chosen has one of the highest prevalence rates among pregnant
women and persons being treated for STD's in the country
Results: Through random selection the views of over 500 female and male residents whose ages ranged from 15-64 years were collected using two research
methods over five days. 218 residents participated in semi-structured interviews
at 6 different sites; simultaneously, over 310 people attended focus group discussions facilitated by the 4 PRA researchers.
The data gathered was then analysed with the respective community representatives and the findings used to draw up a community action plan.
The high response rate and attendance showed a great willingness to participate
in HIV prevention initiatives at a community level. This augured well for the establishment of a VCT service in the district provided the identified key concerns were
satisfactorily addressed by ZAPSO.
Conclusion: Providing communities with an opportunity to discuss and participate in HIV/AIDS prevention work has proven tremendously successful in the
acceptance of a new service. History as shown that without such rich data HIV
prevention strategies are often not successful and the benefits of the strategy not
understood by the target population.
Presenting author: sarah godfree, po box CY 205, causeway, harare, Zimbabwe,
Tel.: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6462I HIV vaccine preparedness in Trinidad and Tobago
N. Jack', J. Edwards', A. Quava', F Campbell', J. Kwang', Y Simon',
C. Francis', W. Blattner2, F. Cleghorn2, C. Batholomew'. 'Medica/lResearch
Foundation, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago; 2Institute of Human Virology,
Maryland, United States
Issues: Approximately 90% of the HIV/AIDS occur in developing countries. In
the global search for an HIV vaccine it is imperative that many developing countries participate in vaccine trials. Adequate resources and infrastructure must be
provided to prepare researchers and communities to conduct scientifically sound
ethical trials.
Description: Trinidad and Tobago (pop. 1.3 million) is one of the HVTN HIV vaccine trial sites currently conducting a Phase II HIV vaccine trial using the Aventis
Pasteur's vCP1452 vaccine. Site preparededness began in March 1998. Focus included the development of a Community Advisory Board (CAB), community and
media education, training of staff, infrastructure enhancement, enhancing laboratory facilities and QA/QC procedures, and obtaining ethical approvals from the
government and local Institutional Review Boards.
Lessons learnt: The greatest effort and time were spent on community education and responding to articles of misinformation in the press. Ethical approval of
the vaccine study by the government took approximately 12 months.
Recommendation: Adequate resources, time and personnel must be provided to
developing countries to enable them to conduct future vaccine trials. Community
education must be on-going,
Presenting author: Noreen Jack, Medical research foundation, 7 queens park
east, port of spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6463 Some findings through focus group interview in
Japanese three cities: risk assessment for the
AIDS prevention among gay and bisexual men in
Japan
K. Kawaguchi', T. Kazama', M. Kashiwazaki', T. Sugawara', K. Kaneko2,
K. Suzuki3, H. Kimura4. 'OCCUR, Tokyo, Japan; 2Red Ribbon Sapporo,
Sapporo, Japan; 3HSA Sapporo Meeting, Sapporo, Japan; 'Progress
Matsuyama, Matsuyama, Japan
Background: Here we analyze the results from the focus group interviews for
gay / bisexual men in the Japanese three cities as a preliminary survey for risk
assessment. These interviews' results were included in the risk assessment's
questionnaire conducted during June-December, 2001. These interviews were
implemented during March-April 2001 in the three cities by a moderator and a
secretary to totally 22 people.
Methods: We set up two questions "When do you feel safer sex is hard?" and
"When do you prioritize unsafer sex?" Furthermore we asked how to overcome
difficulties in safer sex questionning "How do you respond when safer sex is difficult?" These three questions were asked in all the cities. We categorized the
answers and as with the risk factors finally we could have four categories: 1.personal, 2.partners', 3.interpersonal, 4.environmental factors. We found the personal factors is consisted of 14 elements such as psychological status, the partners' factor includes 6 elements such as sexual attraction, the interpersonal factor is consisted of 5 elements such as relationships, and the environmental factor
includes 5 elements such as place. And we could find the response skills corresponding to the 4 risk factors. The skills to personal risk factor are 7 items such
as improvement of condom skills. The skills for partners' factor are 2 items such

as initiatives in sex. The skills for interpersonal factor are 5 items such as communication. The skills for environmental factor are 3 items such as availability of
condoms within one's reach.
Results: We included the qualitative date through the focus group interview in
the quantitative questionnaire. And the data as the response skills will be utilized
in our intervention program.
Conclusion: Qualitative research will lead us to the appropriate assessment and

intervention among target groups. It also helps us to clarity contexts and to generate new appropriate hypothesis.
Presenting author: Kazuya Kawaguchi, c/o OCCUR, 2nd Floor, Ishikawa Bldg,
6-12-11 Honcho, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164-0012, Japan, Tel.: [phone],
Fax: [phone], E-mail: occur@ kt.rim.or.jp
WePeE6464 Innovative developments in community-based
action research
M.E. Hurley', D. Ryan2, G.W. Dowsett', S. Misson1. 'Australian Research
Centre in Sex, Health and Society La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia;
2Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, Sydney, Australia
Issues: Community participation in social research is often ignored, restricted or
seen as inimical to 'objectivity'. Developments in action research however have
shown the value of incorporating community-based organisations into initial conceptualisation, instrument design, field work, analysis and writing. These practices can encourage ownership of the research among in education and policy
networks, assist the development of intervention programs of greater salience
and enable more focussed strategic research. Participation, however, does not
guarantee ownership, especially if the results challenge current practice or require major shifts in funding and program priorities outside of the control of those
directly involved.
Description: The Researchers in Residence Program 1999-2000 was a joint
project between the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, LaTrobe University, Melbourne, and the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, Sydney, funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged
Care. The research projects that resulted were based closely on consultations
with key stakeholders throughout the process.
Lessons learned: The projects led to major re-evaluations of how media relaying
of treatments information affected the success of community based treatments
education and of how community based treatments media were understood as
key components of a quasi-clinical culture of care. Research outputs were quickly
incorporated into strategic and programmatic planning at state, national and community levels. A subsequent spin-off is ongoing development of an innovative,
web-based prevention pilot project combining research and education simultaneously and the direct participation of the research subjects in the research and
education process.
Recommendations: That community-based action research be understood as
an impetus to innovative, high quality research being integral to program and policy development processes and networks.
Presenting author: michael hurley, australian research centre in sex, health and
society, latrobe university, level one, 215 franklin st, melbourne, victoria 3000,
Australia, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: michael.hurley
@ latrobe.edu.au
WePeE6465 Cross-border patient advocacy
K. Kokkas', R. Camp2, M. Guarinieri3, L. Hollander4. 1EATG, Disseldorf,
Germany; 2EATG, Barcelona, Spain; 3EATG, Bologna, Italy; 4EATG, Milan, Italy
Background: The European AIDS Treatment Group, EATG, is a group of HIV
treatment advocates, campaigning for better treatments for HIV infection. The
knowledge on how to become an effective advocate has been accumulated by
NGOs over the years. It is EATG's profound belief that this knowledge can and
should be transmitted to others, along with the instruments necessary to help
translate this knowledge into a local reality.
Methods: The Southern States Treatment Advocacy seminar promotes the issue
of treatment advocacy within HIV NGOs in Southern Europe (P, E, I, GR). Over
250 people have been trained to advocate for better treatments in their own countries in these meetings. This experience supplies participants with knowledge on:
i) clinical treatment, ii) national networking, iii) how to use knowledge in different
settings, and iv) how to transmit this knowledge, including informative and interactive sessions. The ideal applicants are familiar with HIV and basic treatment information, are actively involved in the HIV community, and are committed to share
the information. 2 questionnaires were filled out in the Athens seminar (Oct '00):
The first was a backgrounder on availability of drugs and information/support in
each country. The second evaluation questionnaire asked how the programmed
needs were met.
Results: Of the 18 talks at the meeting, Treatment Activism in Southern Europe,
Current Management Strategies, Treatments in the Pipeline, How to deal with the
Media, and Working with the Pharmaceutical Industry were the highest scored
(above 4.6 out of 5). Close to 95% of the respondents thought the meeting was important for their work at home, on a local level. 90% found the "national breakout
workshops" helpful. 95% showed interest in future EATG meetings, while some
50% were interested in becoming EATG members.
Conclusions: After 4 years of these meetings, their importance has been verified. Analysis of both questionnaires will be available in Barcelona.

Presenting author: Rob Camp, Mindenerstrasse 33, DOsseldorf, Germany, Tel.:
+49.211.788.3481, Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]