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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts WePeE6494-WePeE6498 209

including HIV. The influence of religion in abstinence needs to be studied further
to more clearly define the role of the church in Jamaica and the prevention of
STDs including HIV.
Presenting author: joana dodson stallworth, 1665 university blvd, birmingham,
al, 35244, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: dodson
@uab.edu
WePeE6494 Sexual Violence in Marriage
S.P. Premiee, S.M. Mohammed, D.B. Braganza. Aahung, Karachi, Pakistan
Background: Violence against women in Pakistan is endemic, it has been reported that every second Pakistani women is a victim of direct or indirect violence.
The right to be free from physical, psychological and sexual violence is routinely
violated in the name of custom, tradition and honour and begins early in the form
of restrictions on the educational and mobility rights of the girl child, moves on
to early / child marriages and a lack of consent at the time of marriage, physical
and verbal abuse in the home, marital rape and honour killings. This makes a
woman more vulnerable to STIs, HIV/AIDS, unwanted pregnancy not to mention
psychological harm and trauma.
Methods: Through a qualitative study conducted by Aahung the values of men
and women in Karachi, with regard to relationships and violence within marriage
were explored. A total of 32 in dept interviews were conducted.
Results: Showed that there was a direct link between violence and gender-based
notions of roles, status and honour. Both men and women perceived violence
against women as justifiable. Males lashed out on their wives when they failed to
fulfil their gender roles and when they perceived their masculinity as being threatened. In the same way women internalised their gender-based obligations and
accepted violence when they failed to fulfil their roles. Factors that contribute to a
women's vulnerability were lack of knowledge about her body's sexual and reproductive parts and functions, lack of awareness on rights, minimal education and
the prevailing social structure that deemed violence as acceptable.
Conclusion: People lack an understanding of sexual space and boundaries and
believe that certain rights are foregone in certain circumstances such as the right
to refuse sex in marriage. A notion of sexual rights including bodily integrity for
improved self-esteem, communication, etc must form an integral p
Presenting author: Shazia Premjee, F-32/1, Block 8, Clifton, Karachi,75500,
Pakistan, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6495 Methodological advances in research on sexuality
in the time of HIV/AIDS
S.L. Schensul. University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington,
Connecticut, United States
Background: The continued spread of HIV/AIDS demands comprehensive and
in-depth information on sexuality. Despite the importance of such studies, the collection of valid and reliable data on continues to be difficult. This paper argues for
the need to evolve "cutting-edge" approaches that can be used to collect data on
sexuality The paper will propose, based on the author's research in Asia, Africa,
and the United States, a methodology that utilizes qualitative and quantitative
data collection methods to optimize validity, reliability, comprehensiveness and
utility of research results.
Methods: A methodology will be proposed that: (1) examines the local, social
and cultural context of sexuality; (2) focuses on the full continuum of behaviors
related to intimacy and sexuality, not merely on coitus; (3) examines the specific
and local behaviors of intimacy and sexuality; (4) identifies culturally-derived sexual sequencing (scripting); (5) assesses sexuality within the dyadic relationship
with emphasis on discordance and power differentials; and (6) focuses on data
collection methods with sub-groups that are constrained to freely discuss sexuality. To achieve these research objectives, the proposed methodology will include
social and geographic mapping, key informant interviewing, consensus modeling,
observation, survey administration, and use of biological indicators of STD status.
Results: The paper will describe the ways in which each specific methodology
contributes to our understanding of sexuality and to the development of intervention programs. It will also provide examples of the ways in which the methodological steps provide a complimentary understanding of sexuality.
Conclusions: This paper seeks to initiate a dialogue for the improvement of that
methodology as a crucial scientific and intervention tool in addressing risk reduction in local communities.
Presenting author: stephen schensul, university of connecticut school of
medicine, 263 farmington ave., farmington, connecticut, 06030-6325, United
States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: schensul@nso2.
uchc.edu

WePeE6496 Confounding conventional wisdom:women's
power and low hiv/aids rates among the ju/'hoansi
of namibia and botswana
I.S. Susser1, R.B. Lee2. City University of New York, New York, NY, United
States; 2University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Background: A large body of literature implicates women's lack of sexual nego
tiating power in the rapid spread of HIV in southern Africa. There are, however,
indications that some of the societies of southern Africa, based historically on
equal access to resources for men and women, still practice more egalitarian
gender relations, and that these gender dynamics are reflected in HIV rates that
are, at the moment, lower than national norms.
The Ju/'hoansi, a Khoisan-speaking ethnic group numbering about 5,000 people
are well-documented examples of egalitarian gender relations. Former huntergatherers, they live in rural areas straddling the border between Botswana and
Namibia. Although seropositivity for Botswana adults, ages 15-49, is over 35 per
cent, in the Qangwa area of Botswana among the 800 Ju/'hoansi fewer than ten
cases of AIDS have been reported and in the course of a survey July 2001, of the
large village of Dobe (population 175) not a single case of AIDS-related symptoms were reported.
Methods: In depth interviews and ethnographic research among the Ju/'hoan
people between 1996 and 2001 (building on work by the authors and others since
1963) explores Ju courtship, marriage and pre- and post-marital sexual practices.
Results: The Ju/'hoan case demonstrates that even among rural peoples largely
beyond the reach of media AIDS education campaigns, positive and lifesaving
responses to the threat of AIDS are possible. In addition, such communities have
been protected by their remote, desert locations.
Conclusions: In the face of the threats the population currently faces for a more
devastating epidemic, as transportation improves and interactions with other populations through tourism and eco- development programs increases, we analyse
the underlying dynamics of gender egalitarianism and explore the sustainability
of the social conditions which have so far allowed the Ju some protection from
AIDS.
Presenting author: ida susser, 175 west 79th st #7c, new york, new york, 10024,
United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: +-1-212-874-0162, E-mail: idasusser
@aol.com
WePeE6497 Profile analysis of visitors of the AFSU STDs/AIDS
documentation and information centre
J. Bidoung, R.S. Ngwina Mofoza N, P. Mounton, M.O. Kabeyene. PO Box 25057,
Younde, Cameroon
Introduction: Of all social groups, young secondary school and university students are most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, given their intensive sexual activity. In
order to contribute to reduction of STDs/AIDS infection and spread among this
youth, AFSU has set up an STDs/AIDS documentation and information centre
located at the very heart of student's hall of residence in Yaounde, Cameroon.
Objectives: The objectives of the study are to determine the purpose of the visit,
the age, the sex of the visitors, record their suggestions and provide P+ as well
as young students with a forum conducive to information.
Methodology: From January 1999 to January 2002, we made available to visitors
a register wherein they made their suggestions and proposals which we analyse
in this work. The register was filled by the visitor after having being attended to
by counsellors. Interviews were conducted in strict confidentiality. Depending on
identified needs, visitors were given psychological support (counselling) medical
aid (purchase of drugs) or food aid.
Results: We received 274 persons with the following distributions:
- 86 students aged 19 to 30, among which were 61 boys and 25 girls who came
to gather information on STDs/AIDS.
- 176 civilians aged 45 to 50, among which were 11 men and 24 women who
called to learn about modes of HIV transmission. Among these civilians were 12
destitute P+ who came to seek advise on personal hygiene. All of them received
in addition to psychological support, food or medical aid. Students suggest that
AFSU strenghten its educational material base and publicize its existence.
Conclusion: This study has given us the opportunity to notice that besides public health facilities, NGOs/Associations such as AFSU substantially complement
public authorities STDs/AIDS prevention activites.
Presenting author: Josiane Bidoung, PO Box 25057, Younde, Cameroon, Tel.:
[phone]
WePeE6498 Marked ethnic diversity amongst HIV positive
heterosexuals in West London
N. O'Farrell, S. Ash 1, W. Lynn1, D. Daniels2. 'Ealing Hospital, London, United
Kingdom; 2 West Middlesex Hospital, London, United Kingdom
Background: Currently, the majority of newly diagnosed cases of HIV in the UK
are heterosexuals, most of whom live in London. Limited demographic is collected
routinely on these cases. A significant proportion of these cases are believed to
have acquired HIV overseas.
Methods: Demographic details were obtained by reviewing the case notes of all
heterosexual HIV patients who attended two sexually transmitted infection clinics
in 2001.
Results: Of 244 HIV positive heterosexuals, 150 (61%) were women and 94

(39%) were men. Their countries of origin were: Uganda 27%, Zimbabwe 11%,
UK 9%, India 7%, Zambia 6%, Kenya, Somalia and South Africa 5%, Thailand
2%. The remaining 23% were from 13 African countries (14%), other Europe 3%,
Caribbean 2%, Middle East 2%, and Asia 2%.
Conclusions: This group of patients is characterized by marked ethnic diversity. Planning and provision of support services must therefore cover individuals
from a wide variety of backgrounds. Within London there exists a potential for