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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts WePeE6485-WePeE6489 207

Presenting author: Yuri Amirkhanian, CAIR/MCW, 2071 N. Summit Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone],
E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6485 Vulnerable female sex partners of males having
sex with males (MSMs) in Bangladesh: A cultural
gap at the HIV intervention framework
S.I. Khan', A. Bhuiya', A.S.M. Jamal Uddin2. ICDDR, B, House #25 (3rd floor),
Road#2, Shakher Tek (PC Culture Housing), Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207,
Bangladesh; 2 BSWS, Chittagong, Bangladesh
Background: This paper presents the pattern of sexual activity of MSMs with
female partners in the context of HIV transmission and intervention.
Methods:In the port city, a quantitative survey of male sex workers (MSWs) and
their clients was carried out in 2000. Additionally, in-depth interviews and focus
group discussions were performed. MSMs were sampled by opportunistic and
snowball techniques. dtSearch software was utilized to analyze qualitative data.
Results:Ten percent MSWs and 50% clients were married. 12% MSWs and 67%
clients were fathers. 'Kothi' ('female mind in male body') though desired not to
marry any woman but finally surrendered to the hetero-normative marriage custom to shoulder the patrimony. Unmarried 'kothis' also reported secret and unsafe sex with females. Straight or 'giriya' MSWs and all clients ('mama' or 'panthi') rarely wished to be unmarried. During the three months preceding the survey, 100% clients and 50% MSWs had unsafe heterosexual relations. Most 'panthis' reported enjoyable sex with both males and females, while despite claiming
non-pleasurable heterosexual relations; 'kothis' also continued that practice. 95%
MSMs claimed their female partners were ignorant of their polygamous sex, especially with males. 50% MSMs were engaged in unsafe anal sex with females
including wives. MSMs were not obligated to disclose their MSM practices to their
female partners not only to avoid shame, but also to maintain masculine image.
The gender normative notions regarding women's silence and apathy about sexuality, and men-dependence might contribute in asserting men's control and suppression on women's informed sexual choices and decision making.
Conclusions: Although MSMs' overlooked female partners are difficult to reach,
however, situation warrants immediate intervention. The main challenge is
grounded in applying innovative and sensitive approach in culturally acceptable
ways to reach them.
Presenting author: Sharful Islam Khan, House #25 (3rd floor), Road#2,
Shakher Tek (PC Culture Housing), Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh,
Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6486 Sexual behavior of teenagers as risk factor in HIV
transmission
C. Huidumac Petrescu, R. Nicolescu, A. Cordeanu, E. Nastase, I. Iosif. Institute
of Public Health, Bucharest, Romania
Background: the estimation of sexual behavior of teenagers also the level of
knowledge and informing sources connected with this behavior.
Method: the present study was applied in 2000, on a sample of 2115 pupils in
which males and females (41%, 59% respectively) aged 16-19 years old from a
high school in Bucharest. It was used an anonymous questionnaire with 31 questions regarding the problems above.
Results: there is a significant difference between boys and girls (55% of boys and
25% girls) towards the beginning of their sexual life. It is very important to underline that the contraception procedures are used preponderant by girls. There is
proportional increase of the knowledge towards contraception procedures (62%
of 16 years old to 97% at 19 years old). Most of the pupils (85%) are well informed
about HIV transmission. Another aspect is the knowledge of teenagers regarding
the sexual transmission diseases: 90% recognize that they need a better information.
Conclusions: we may say that a significant percentage of pupils began their sexual life and most of them use contraception procedures. They think that sexual
relations with unknown persons are dangerous and there is a direct proportion
between those who practice sexual relations with unknown persons and those
with sexual transmission diseases. Most of these cases are valuable for boys
less for girls. We consider that the sexual education must be an integrated part of
the school timetable.
Presenting author: Constanta Huidumac petrescu, Institute of Public Health, Dr.
Leonte str.nr 1-3, sect 5, Bucharest, Romania, Tel.: [phone], Fax: +401
3123426, E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6487 Sexuality, mariage and young girls HIV careers in
Cameroon: social and cultural constraints and
perspectives

M.J. Atanganal, R. Mimbiang2. lafsu, po.box 6110, yaounde, Cameroon;
2swaa, Yaounde, Cameroon
CONTEXT: For the cameroonian young girl who is infected and living in an African
context where getting married and having children are the ultimate goals in the
existence, the problems of sexuality are strongly precised.
Generally brought up to be the proud of the family (of the village or the tribe)
through an honourable and rich marriage, these girls are usually obliged to hide

their HIV status and to keep on living a 'normal life' (with free intercourses which
leads to marriage) in order to please the family/community
Between the oppressing society, the desire to enjoy a normal woman life and
the reality of the infection, a self-support group of young girls was set up from
the year 2000 within the 'United Brothers and Sisters Association (UBSA)' in
Yaounde/Cameroon in order to influence their lives positively through education
and social support.
Method: The group is lead by girls themselves under the supervision of peers
trained in psychosocial counselling. The actions of this group are characterised
by four steps: i. Determine the problems by sharing of experiences ii. Education
of young girls in positives practices in the life with HIV and specially in Safer Sex
iii. Education of parents, relatives and the communities iv. Social support of girls
through creation of small businesses
Results: Period of observation: February 2000 to December 2001
Attendance: 115 (between 16 and 30 years old)
Before February 2000 On December 2001
Free sexual intercourses (non protected) 56% 15%
Safer sex 30% 75%
Girls without sexual intercourses 35% 10%
Girls with occasional partners 70% 30%
Girls with stable HIV+ partner 15% 40%
Girls with stable HIV- partner 1.5% 10%
Marriage with HIV+ partner 0% 20%
Marriage with HIV- partner 0% 2.3%
Girls accepted in their family 20% 70%
Access to a financial income 10% 60%
Nota: All the stable partners are hereby informed of the serologic status of young
girls of the group
Conclusion: Within the group many young girls succeeded in getting their independence towards the constraining society and they can now live a positive life.
Another side, the changing of society is becoming a reality.
The sexuality of young girl HIV career in Cameroon is linked to her health and
to three essential factors: education, social and cultural constrains and financial
resources.
Presenting author: marie joseph atangana, po.box 6110, yaounde, Cameroon,
Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6488 Tribal women and their risk to HIV/AIDS
C. Paul'1, R.M. Graney2. 1 Tribal Development Society 15, Ayarbadi,
Tirukalukundram, Kanchee District, Tamil Nadu -603109, India; 2South Nassau
Communities Hospital, New York, United States
Background: Over 12.2 million women worldwide have been infected with HIV
since the start of the epidemic and women account for 42% of the 30.6 million
adults now living with HIV. India being the second highest number of HIV/AIDS
cases in the world and more than 80% of the 1 billion population live in rural
and tribal area Our objective in this study was to identify the risk factors, which
contribute to the transmission of HIV/AIDS among a selected Tribal women.
Irrula Tribes ("Irrula "- one who lives in darkness) are one of the most primitive
tribe of Tamil Nadu, South India.
Methods: Qualitative study was conducted to identify awareness,social, cultural,
and sexual risk behaviours. Ethnographic data were collected using Key informant
interviews, Focus group discussions and in- depth interviews.
Results: None of the women were literate. Women get married at the age of
13. Unlike other rural population, women carry the family responsibilities. All the
women take alcohol.Illness is always associated with evil eye, witchcraft, and devil
possession. Health is not a priority and health seeking behaoviour is replaced by
religious belief, practice and ritual. Tribal women prefer self-remedies and native
medicines against institutionalized medicine. Both men and women migrate for
their work and have extra marital relationships, having multiple sexual partners
and leaving one partner and marrying another is common. Men make sexual decisions. Focus group discussions and in depth interviews revealed that awareness
on HIV/AIDS is nil. None of the women heard about condom and no one uses in
the tribe.There are symptoms of STD among these tribal women.
Conclusion: Culture, poverty, illiteracy and lack of awareness on STD, HIV/AIDS
place these women at a great risk of getting HIV/AIDS. STD with unprotected
sex makes these women ten times vulnerable to HIV infection. There is an urgent
need to educate these women to prevent them from STD, HIV/AIDS.
Presenting author: Chitra Paul, 15, Ayarbadi, Tirukalukundram, Kanchee District, Tamil Nadu -603109, India, Tel.: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6489 Between risk and liberty: singularities on the
prevention's scene

A. Szapiro, S. Batista. Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rua Gustavo
Sampaio 710 apto. 202. Leme Cep. 22010-010. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Background: This essay analises, comparatively, the behavior towards the AIDS'
epidemy of men and women who looked for the Center of Testing and CounselingCTA of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, to know their serological status.
We seeked to analise the results related to the exposition of the risk between men