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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts WePeE6548-WePeE6552 221

WePeE6548 Four majors areas identified through the risk
assesment analysis: Towards the interevention
among gay community in Japan
T. Kazama1, M. Kashiwazaki1, K. Kawaguchi', T. Sugawaral, K. Kaneko2,
K. Suzuki3, H. Kimura4. 1OCCUR, 6-12-11 Honcho,2nd Floor, Ishikawa Building,
Nakanoku, Japan; 2Red Ribbon Sapporo, Sapporo, Japan; 3HSA Sapporo
Meeting, Sapporo, Japan; 4Progress Matsuyama, Matshuyama, Japan
Objective: The objective is to utilize its results for designing interevention program by assessing the risk factors.
Method: We built a project called "OURS" which is consisted of the 4 NGOs in
three cities, and implemented questionnaire survey in 2001. The efficient answers
were 341/417.
Result: We conducted a multiple regression analysis of the 6 categories as independent variables which are negative attitude towards condom, poor assertiveness, poor intention for behavior change, poor partner norm, poor community
norm, low self-efficacy and R2=0.521. "Poor assertiveness" is very strongly correlated (~=0.567) and "poor intention for behavior change" is weakly correlated
(~=0.213) to risk behavior. We could see the strong correlation (~=0.317) between "poor assertiveness" and "poor intention for behavior change". "Poor intention for behavior change" is weakly correlated to "low self-efficacy" (~=0.290) and
to "poor community norm" (~=0.223) and to "negative attitude towards condom"
(~=0.214). And "low self-efficacy" shows the strong correlation with "negative attitude towards condom" (~=0.385) and with "poor partner norm" (~=0.336).
Conclusion: We can set up the four main areas for interevention. Given that "poor
assertiveness" influences directly risk behavior, 1) it is vital to provide an opportunity when people can get assertive skills to avoid risky behavior. As "poor selfefficacy" and "community norm" influence "poor intention for behavior change"
and "poor partner norm" influences "poor self-efficacy", 2) it is important to give
an opportunity for the individuals to set up goals for prevention and then to share
its goals with their partners and, 3) it is significant to form community environment to support safer sex through changing norms at the community level. Furthermore, since "negative attitude towards condom" influences "low self-efficacy"
and "poor intention for behavior change", 4) eroticisation of condom is essential.
Presenting author: Takashi Kazama, 6-12-11 Honcho,2nd Floor, Ishikawa Building, Nakanoku, Japan, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6549 Condom use is rare among male college students
who have ever had sex with men in southern India
D.S. Hausner', S. Ramasundaram2, N. Murthy3, M.D. Sweat'. 'Johns Hopkins
University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, American Embassy/USAID,
Cambodia, Box P, APO AP 96546, United States; 2Department of Commerce,
Government of India, New Delhi, India; 3Foundation for Research on Health
Systems, Bangalore, India
Background: HIV in India is often presumed to be transmitted heterosexually.
However, many men in India engage in sex with other men. Stigma against homosexuality may keep this behavior invisible from surveillance and intervention
efforts. This study was conducted to estimate the proportion and characteristics
of male college students who have ever had sex with men (MESM), and to understand their potential risk for HIV as measured by frequency of condom use.
Methodology: Multiple in-depth interviews with 35 students and a selfadministered questionnaire among 1,573 college males were conducted at two
male colleges in southern India. Random sampling was used for the survey
Results: 32% (n=498) of male students were sexually active. Among these, 53%
reported history of sex with men. Of these students, 30% engaged in anal sex,
38% in oral sex, and 69% in mutual masturbation with men. Only 6% used condoms during anal sex at first sexual experience, and only 15% had ever used
condoms with their last partner. MESM have significantly lower condom use rates
compared to college males who have ever had sex with women (p<0.01). Characteristics associated with college MESM include low rates of socializing at public
venues (OR=3.9), belief that condoms do not make sex safer (OR=2.7), religious
parents (OR=1.7), being Catholic (OR=1.7), and having less spending money
(OR=1.8).
Conclusions: Many male students report history of sex with men and few MESM
have used condoms, potentially placing them at risk for HIV infection. Intervention
programs should recognize that many young men have sex with men, that Indian
MESM do not necessarily self-identify as being homosexual, and many have had
sex with men due to lack of sexual opportunity with women.
Presenting author: David Hausner, American Embassy/USAID, Cambodia, Box
P, APO AP 96546, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone],
E-mail: hausnerdavid @cs.com
WePeE6550 Gay men, HIV and social exclusion: men with
lower educational qualifications (LEQ)

P. Keogh, C. Dodds, P. Weatherburn. Sigma Research, Sigma Research, Unit
64, Eurolink Centre, 49 Effra Road, London, SW2 1BZ, United Kingdom
Background: Our quantitative work demonstrates that men with LEQ (defined as
leaving school aged 16 or under) have a higher prevalence of HIV infection, are
more likely to engage in HIV risk and have a wider range of HIV prevention needs
than better educated men. To explore this, we conducted qualitative research into

the relationship between education and HIV vulnerability in less well educated
gay men.
Methods: 75 men with LEQ were recruited through the gay scene for in-depth
interviews covering attitudes towards health, risk and HIV prevention elicited
through life histories. Interviews, were tape recorded and fully transcribed. Analyses were conducted by two researchers working independently. Results: Men
in this group were unreceptive to community-based HIV health promotion based
on ideals of individual self-determination, aspiration and community involvement.
Analysis revealed the following contributing factors. Education: A sense of being
different or differences recognised by peers led to bullying and truancy. Many rejected formal education. Some left school because of these difficulties and others
left because of family norms. Personal Health: The majority had non-aspirational
attitudes toward health. They did not experience an imperative to improve their
health through diet, exercise etc. and considered themselves healthy unless ill.
Personal Aspiration: Life aspiration was not associated with career or monetary success. Work was seen as a means of support and social contact rather
than a way of defining personal identity. Cultural background: Migration and cultural dislocation impacted on many men's ability to participate in gay social networks. Conclusions: Equivocal attitudes towards education, cultural dislocation
and non-aspirational attitudes towards health make this group unlikely to respond
to most traditional HIV prevention interventions. This research confirms the need
for new models of health promotion for gay men.
Presenting author: Peter Keogh, Sigma Research, Unit 64, Eurolink Centre, 49
Effra Road, London, SW2 1BZ, United Kingdom, Tel.: [phone], Fax:
[phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6551I A module for HIV/AIDS interventions among homo
sexuals
A.J. Hariharan, B.U. Maheswaran, J.S. Stefan. Indian Community Welfare
Organisation - ICWO, Indian Community Health Organisation, Plot No:1369, 18th
Street, Vallalar Colony, AnnaNagar West, Chennai-600 040, Tami/nadu, India
Issues: Homosexual behavior occurs commonly among functional bisexual men
in Chennai. Potential for homosexuality transmitted HIV to fuel epidemic is high
sexual behaviors (no.of partners,mobility of population, type of sexual practices,
etc.,) make this population vulnerable. Ignoring significant route of transmission
is likely to have catastrophic consequences.
Description: Community based initiatives have been pampered by lack of resources, low levels of technical assistance in designing programs & clandestine
nature of homosexual behaviors making it extremely difficult to reach people most
of aquiring & transmitting HIV. However, an integrated interventions by ICWO supported by TNSACS outreach approaches like: Peer education - Men from male
prostitution recruited & trained to commuicate prevention message message to
the groups. Outreach workers refrain from all major judgement concerning conduct of men. Prevention workers discuss all aspects of HIV/AIDS & other STDs
with target groups. Large quantities of condoms, lubricants & information about
HIV/AIDS are distributed. Women accompany target group to referral centers for
STD treatment, Voluntary counseling & testing.
Lessons learned: This approach helps prevention workers to become invested
within the lives of target group & develop personal relationship based o trust.
Recommendation: Sensitisation of police & top civic authorities of MSM issues
should be attempted. Interventions like this could be replicated in other countries
with a similar socio-cultural context.
Presenting author: Hariharan Amjikarai Janarthanam, Indian Community Health
Organisation, Plot No:1369, 18th Street, Vallalar Colony, AnnaNagar West,
Chennai-600 040, Tamilnadu, India, Tel.: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeE6552I The impact of evaluation in an HIV prevention and
care capacity building and technical assistance
coalition of agencies serving African-American
and Latino men who are having sex with men
L. Scaccabarrozzi. Chicago Department of Public Health, 1245 North California
#2F Chicago, IL 60622, United States
Issues: One out of every three young African-American and one of five young
Latino men is testing positive for HIV.
Lack of services that will be able to deal with a host of issues like: internal and
external homophobia, stigma within the communities of color, lack of prevention
messages that target communities of color, lack of staff diversity that resemble
people that are in higher ned of services.
Description: The Men of Color HIV/AIDS (MOCHA) Coalition is a Capacity Building and Technical Assistance Coalition of eight agencies in the City of Chicago
headed by the Chicago Department of Public Health. The coalition member agencies are agencies that are described overall as agencies that serve Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT)Communities or agencies that serve Communities

of Color.
None of these agencies are characterized for serving People of Color who are
also LGBT.
The purpose of the Coalition was to develop positions within the agencies that
would assist in developing programs that would improve services for gay/bisexual
African-American and Latino Men sharing resources and information.
Evaluation has been an essential tool to show that there has been an increase of