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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts WePeE6513-WePeE6517 213

Presenting author: Carlos Feo, Av. Las Palmas, Res. Rocar, PB-A, Caracas,
1050, Venezuela, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: feos
@telcel.net.ve
WePeE6513 Societal attitudes to knowledge as a prelude to
safe sexual behaviour: A study of unmarried
adolescents among urban poor in Delhi, India
S. Ramchandran S. Mehra, L. Coutinho. MAMTA, MAMTA Health Institute for
Mother and Child, 33A, Saidulajaib, M.B. Road, New Delhi - 110030, India
Background: The paper is based on a study exploring the patterns and determinants of sexual behaviour among unmarried adolescents. This paper focuses
on some specific questions related to societal attitudes and knowledge of young
people interpreting these as key determinants of youth behaviour. The issue of
knowledge is explored with respect to means of prevention of STIs and HIV/AIDS
and condoms as a means for this. It is considered that a better understanding
of attitudes and knowledge would help to work towards sustainable behaviour
change.
Methods: The paper analyses qualitative and quantitative data for the study. The
qualitative data includes informal group discussions, formal group discussions,
key informant interviews while the quantitative data includes the findings from a
survey. The survey was based on a structured questionnaire among 33% of the
unmarried adolescents.
Results: The community in general, and parents of adolescents in particular,
point out that knowledge on sexual behaviour is not required till after marriage.
Findings also clearly reveal that knowledge relating to safe sex and condoms
among adolescents is inadequate and inconsistent. Adolescents also express a
strong need to gain more information on issues of sexuality and sexual behaviour.
It also reveals a considerable amount of sexual activity that in some cases includes intercourse.
Conclusions: The information that is imparted to a young person is intrinsically
tied to societal attitudes on sexual desire and behaviour. There is little acceptance of the possibility of sexual intimacy among the unmarried. Societal attitude
on the level of information that is required is based on traditional norms on sexual
behaviour and may have little correspondence to prevailing sexual behaviour of
the unmarried. Any intervention that aims at providing information to young people on sexuality must address societal attitudes on it rather than just information
provision.
Presenting author: Dr. sunil Mehra, MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and
Child, 33A, Saidulajaib, M.B. Road, New Delhi - 110030, India, Tel.: +9111
6858067, Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6514 Sexual behaviour and condom use- Differences
between health care students from Germany,
Lithuania and Spain
J. Klewer', J. Kugler1, L. Sasnauskaite2, A. Pavilonis2, A. Pavilonis2,
F. Guillen-Grima 3, 1. Aguinaga-Ontoso 3. 'Public Health, Dresden Medical
School, Public Health, Dresden Medical School, IMIB-Fetscherstr. 74, 01307
Dresden, Germany; 2Dept. of Microbiology, Kaunas Medical University, Kaunas,
Lithuania; 3Dept. of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre, Pamplona,
Spain
Background: In Europe, the incidences of sexually acquired HIV infections and
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are increasing. Therefore, research on sexual behaviour of European health care students is essential, because they belong
to an age group with high risk for sexually acquired infections. Additionally, after
graduating, they are expected to educate the population and their patients about
sexuality, contraception, HIV and STD. However, to date, comprehensive studies
evaluating sexual behaviour of European health care students are still lacking.
Methods: To explore sexual behaviour in health care students, the study analysed the number of sexual partners, condom use, sexual practices and HIV testing in 182 German medical/ dental students, 88 Lithuanian medical students and
195 Spanish nursing students.
Results: The German and Lithuanian students had significantly more sexual partners within the previous 12 months than the Spanish students. But the percentage
of sexually active Spanish students (67%) always using condoms differed significantly from the Lithuanian (35%) and German samples (18%). Sexual practices,
like fellatio, cunnilingus and anal intercourse, were significantly more common in
the sexual active German students than in the Lithuanian and Spanish students.
Conclusions: The findings contribute to the knowledge of sexual behaviour in
health care students. Furthermore, the results revealed risky sexual behaviour,
like deficient use of condoms, in European health care students. Due to frequent
use of oral and vaginal sexual intercourses, especially the German students are
endangered to acquire HIV and STDs. Consequently, education of health care
students should focus more intensively on sexuality, contraception and sexually
acquired infections, to prevent the students and their future patients from STD
and HIV.

Presenting author: J6rg Klewer, Public Health, Dresden Medical School, IMIBFetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany, Tel.: [phone], Fax: +49 351
3177 33217, E-mail: [email protected]

WePeE651 5 Increased risk of HIV to women
U. Sharma, I. Haque. N.G.O., H.No.994/7, Munni Building, Mehrauli, New
De/hi-110030, India
Issues: Social and cultural determinants relating to women's position in society
enhance their vulnerability to HIV. Women's dependency on men and their generally lower education and access to resources is enhanced in health care especially in their incapability to protect themselves from STIs/HIV. Women's modesty
and cultural restraint and self-neglect further inhibits them to have access to the
information and care. So, study was conducted with objectives to study the knowledge and attitudes of women about sexuality and AIDS and to assess their risk
of acquiring HIV/STIs.
Description: The study was conducted with 200 married women in Delhi. More
than half of them had heard about AIDS, but their knowledge was full of misconceptions which put them at further risk of acquiring HIV. They perceived that 'bad
women (sex workers)'spread AIDS but none of them could perceive that males
could also spread this disease. 45% women said that AIDS could be spreads by
sharing toilets. About 46% women had heard of condoms but majority of them
were unaware about its proper use. All were unaware about female condoms.
About 26% women reported that copper -T and oral pills could protect them from
STIs /AIDS. About 86% of them believed that STIs could be treated by home
remedies. None of the women were aware about the link between STIs and HIV.
Lessons learnt: It was found that women had very poor knowledge about sexuality and STIs/HIV/AIDS. Women did not had frank discussion about their problems
with family members.
Recommendations: Repeated informal session should be organized with them
to provide them basic information. There is need to empower women to seek
cooperation from spouse. There is utmost need to negotiate the use of condoms
with their husband and/or sex partners. Counselling services must be made an integral part with special emphasis on family life education, pre-marital and marital
counselling.
Presenting author: Upma Sharma, H.No.994/7, Munni Building, Mehrauli, New
Delhi-110030, India, Tel.: [phone], E-mail: upmasharmal @rediffmail.
com
WePeE6516I www.teenpath.com, The beginning of boundless
gateway to youth-friendly interactive media
K. Petchkong. PATH/Thailand, Program for Appropriate Technology in Health,
37/1 Petchburi 15, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Issues: An emerging of www.teenpath.com, a Thai website-based media on
Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ASRH) found misconception on
HIV/AIDS prevention. Facing an overwhelming internet penetration on pornographic sites, Thai youths need an accurate information and non-judgmental message on healthy sexuality
Description: The recent survey showed that most frequent Thai users of internet
are in the age of 15-24. Among Thai youth, the internet is a popular resource for
entertainment, information, and communicating with friends. While the Internet
offers access to a wealth of information, web-based media can provide conflicting
messages about healthy sexuality, gender roles, and safe sex. There is a lack of
IT platforms geared toward Thai youth that address their sexual health in a supportive, accurate and interactive manner. Program for Appropriate Technology in
Health (PATH) launched a website titled www.teenpath.com last December to be
an interactive information source for young people in Thailand. Website development was based on young people's comments during pretesting. The mixture
of interactive, informative and entertainment parts as well as providing links to
reliable ASRH services are identified needs for youth.
Lessons learned: The latest results from Teen Poll, a part of site to explore
youth's opinions on safe sex methods, showed that nearly half of the voters (35%)
will use withdrawal (21%), rhythm method (7%) and oral contraceptive (7%) and
11% replied not to use any contraception. Though 54% of voters will use condom,
there is still misinformed public. Most postings on homosexuality topic in Teen
Board revealed more acceptance as a caring relationship regardless of gender.
Recommendations: Youth-friendly approach in designing contents and appearance of site is needed. ASRH including HIV/AIDS should be well delivered to
create youth's awareness in personalizing their risk and choice in HIV prevention
Presenting author: Kanthima Petchkong, Program for Appropriate Technology
in Health, 37/1 Petchburi 15, Bangkok 10400, Thailand, Tel.: [phone],
Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6517 Slum dwellers in India and risk of HIV
I. Hague, U. Sharma. N.G.0., 181/20 A, Zakir Nagar, New Delhi, India
Issues: AIDS has left no part of the world untouched. No exception is the slums
of Delhi, India. About 34% of Delhi's population live in slums. With continuing in
crease in urban population and endless flow of rural immigrants, slum population
is growing very fast day by day. These circumstances require an urgent concern
over the health of these people especially when there is illiteracy, lack of proper
health system and privacy.
Description: 100 males and 100 females under 25 years were selected from the
two slums of Delhi. The study was conducted to assess their knowledge about
HIV and to assess their behaviour, which put them at risk of infection. They were
interviewed with the help of a pre-tested interview schedule. It was found that