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

210 Abstracts WePeE6499-WePeE6503

XIV International AIDS Conference

mini-epidemics of HIV amongst many ethnic minority groups not previously believed to be at increased risk of infection. In this part of London, Ugandans and
Zimbabweans comprise a significant proportion of patients and merit specific interventions.
Presenting author: Nigel O'Farrell, Pasteur suite, Ealing Hospital, Uxbridge Rd,
London UB1 3HW, United Kingdom, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone]
5458, E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6499 Reproductive health and prevention of
STD/HIV/Aids: working with young fathers in the
Brazilian Northeast
J. Lyra, B. Medrado, P. Nascimento, K. Galvao, L. Souza Leao, C. Pedrosa,
M. Barreto, A. Crisostomo. Programa PAPAl, Rua Mardonio de A. Nascimento,
129 Vjrzea Recife/PE 50741-380, Brazil
Issues: The preventive actions and the debate concerning the transmission of
STD/Aids are regularly referred to the sexuality and excluded from the field of
reproductive health, despite the fact of the dissemination of HIV amongst housewife, that declared to exclusively maintain sexual relations with their partners. To
this considerations we can add the fact that the existing models of manhood and
fatherhood, always associated to the repertoire of strength, virility and indestructibility, turns men (fathers) a group less inclined to the use of preservative, thus,
vulnerable to contamination.
Description: This work presents results of an experience of social intervention
that took place with young fathers from the mother-infant section in the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil, through
weekly workshops discussing the possibilities to correlate subjects of prevention
in sexual health, with reproductive health and family planning.
Lessons learned: Throughout the social interventions we became aware that
most men do not identify with the advices on the preventive campaigns and do
not associate the prevention of STD/Aids with family planning, besides resisting
to use preservatives. Although considering that prevention is a responsibility of
the father as the provider of security.
Recommendations: We can conclude that even though sex and reproduction
represent distinct aspects of the human life, the educational actions of STD/Aids
prevention do not have to be dissociated from the discussion of reproductive
health. Thus, we recognized the need and importance to implement actions that
reflect on the insertion of men in spaces traditionally considered to be of feminine
gender.
Presenting author: Jorge Lyra, Rua Mardonio de A. Nascimento, 129 Varzea
Recife/PE 50741-380, Brazil, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [email protected]
WePeE6500I A qualitative study of the viability of usage of the
female condom among university students
M. Lameiras Fernandez, A. Saco Alvarez, J.M. Failde Garrido, Y. Rodriguez
Castro. Universidad de Vigo, Universidad de Vigo, Campus de Ourense,
Facultad de Ciencias de la Educaci6n, As Lagoas s/n 32004 Ourense, Spain
Background: The higher amount of infected women in the most devastated areas by HIV, and the increment in Western societies, makes a priority the need to
have available preventive methods for use in heterosexual relationships, whose
use could be controlled more directly by women. The female condom is the only
method that women can use to prevent the Transmission of sexually disease and
unplanned pregnancy.
Methods: To carry out this research, four discussion groups were formed by sexually active students, consisting of sixteen individuals with an age range between
18 and 24. The participants accede voluntarily after being informed about the
aims of the study The topic given for each group discussion was "the use of the
female condom" to be followed by a discussion around four themes: product image, information, access to information and willingness to try it. Each them was
discussed for about one hour.
Results: As occurs with the male condoms, the use of the female condom is
conditioned by the type of couple (steady vs. casual). Similarity, as in the male
condom, girls associated its use in sporadic relationships, and boys associate
it with being in a steady relationship. Our research also confirms that knowledge
and experience gained by young people by the use of the male condom, will score
disadvantages for the female condom, helping to explain its unpopularity.
Conclusions: It is necessary to develop programs to improve the use of female
condom in girls and boys considering the differences between them. But we consider essential that macro information campaigns are organised around the female condom. Campaigns that help to create a pro use culture among the youth,
and of course we must remember that the use of the female condom depends on
political, not solely individual decisions.
Presenting author: Maria Lameiras Fernandez, Universidad de Vigo, Cam
pus de Ourense, Facultad de Ciencias de la Educaci6n, As Lagoas s/n 32004
Ourense, Spain, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: lameiras
@uvigo.es

WePeE6501I Social and psychological characteristics of males
with non-traditional sexual orientation
A.A. Davydoval, E.N. Vinogradova', B.D. Mebell, N.A. Chaika2,
A. Rumyantsev3. ICity AIDS Center, City AIDS Center, Tikhoretsky prospekt 35
- 156, 195427 St.Petersburg, Russian Federation; 2Pasteur Institute,
St.Petersburg, Russian Federation; 3NGO "Krilya", St.Petersburg, Russian
Federation
Background: To analyze specific social characteristics and peculiarities of sexual
behavior in homosexual males in St.Petersburg, Russia.
Methods: Anonymous questionnaires were used for sociological studies in 100
homosexual males.
Results: Many of males (33%) had incomplete families with female (mother or
grand-mother) dominance (88%). Males dominated in 3% of families of gay men
during their childhood. Every fourth homosexual had sexual debut at the age of
< 14 years, 35% - in 15-19 years of age. Sexual abuse took place in 11% of cases.
The first homosexual partner was usually of the same age (49%) or older (44%).
One of three (31%) homosexuals had casual sexual partners. Most responders
(85%) practised oral sex, 69% - anal sex. A half of responders had usually sex
after alcohol intake (drug use was noted in one case only). Around 65% of responders had younger sexual partners. Only 6% of homosexuals had sex for money.
More than a half of responders (55%) realised the risk of HIV infection but every
third person practising anal sex considered himself out of HIV risk group. Even
stranger situation was found in persons with causal sex - 20 of 43 such persons
denied any risk of catching HIV. Only 40% of responders practise safer sex and
use condoms regularly. Every fifth person does not use condoms (every seventh
in the group with casual sexual partners). Four of five responders will stop sexual
relations with a partner if diagnosed as HIV positive. Every fourth (26%) homosexual experienced negative attitude of friends/relatives and 22% experienced
real discrimination.
Conclusions: The results confirmed the high risk behaviour of Russian homosexual males, lack of correct understanding of HIV risk and negative attitude of
friends and relatives to non-traditional sexual orientation of responders. It is necessary to improve and intensify educational activity among homosexual males in
Russia.
Presenting author: Alla Davydova, City AIDS Center, Tikhoretsky prospekt 35 -
156, 195427 St.Petersburg, Russian Federation, Tel.: [phone], Fax: +7
812 251 08 53, E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6502I Sexual behaviour and sexually transmitted
diseases among young people
G. Mungazi. Harare youth forum, Po. Box 66131, Kopje, Harare, Zimbabwe
Background: Sexually transmitted diseases(STDs) are an increasing health
problem in Zimbabwe,with over 900 000cases treated annually in the formal
health sector.Young people are the most affected by STDs including HIVThe aim
of the study was to assess attitudes towards STDs and to explore views about
sexual practises among young people.
Methodology: Interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with a
convinient sample of 112 individuals (60 females and 52 males) respectively aged
between 15 and 25 in the western district ofHarare.
Results: 43% reported having suffered from an STD in the past 18months and
7% feared that they could be HIV positive. Although comdoms were believed to
give protection against STDs by the majority (97%),only 19% said they used a
condom. Of the 19% which used condoms half of them used condoms to prevent
pregnancy.Focus group discusiions revealed that manhood encouraged multiple
sexual partners and that condoms were percived to affect male potencyRevealed
as well is the fact that sexual partners have some problems in talking about sexual matters due to cultural norms making it complicated for females to negotiate
safe sex.This exposes women to diseases and are sometimes forced to transmit
diseases unwillingly when they are inected.
Conclusion: These results showed that STDs,multiple sexual relationships and
unprotected sex are common among young people.Health activities should be
designed to improve knowledge levels about STD transmission,signs and complications targeting the youth.Condom promotion messages should focus on improving attitudes towards condom use amongst males and on negotiating skills
for condom use amongst females.
Presenting author: Godfrey Mungazi, Po. Box 66131, Kopje, Harare, Zimbabwe,
Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6503 Long-term influence of gender norms and
attitudes on timing of sexual initiation among
urban minority adolescents in the Reach for Health
study
C. O'Donnell', L. O'Donnell1, A. Myint U1, A. Stueve2. 1Education Development

Center, EDC, 55 Chapel Street, Newton, MA, 02458, United States; 2Columbia
University, New York, NY, United States
Background:In some communities in the U.S., the age at which adolescents become sexually initiated has decreased, with significant proportions of boys and
girls reporting intercourse before the age of 13. This is especially troubling in urban areas where HIV prevalence is high, since early initiation is linked to high