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

250 Abstracts WePeF6657-WePeF6661

XIV International AIDS Conference

Presenting author: Mercy Bauni Mumbi, P.o. box 30583, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya,
Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeF6657 Charismatic power in the prevention of HIV/AIDS:
the experience of the "Nyagwa ma boa" in the
coastal region of Cameroon
J.B. Niayang. Foyer de Jeunesse dAkwa, Douala, Cameroon
Issues: The "Nyagwa ma boa" is a traditional groups of women with marital experience of not less than 25 years. They have heavy task to sensitise and educate
youths, especially young girls and other women's groups on the risk generated by
STD/AIDS. Thus breaking that taboo of sexuality in their families and also influence, in a positive manner, the responsible sexual behaviours. They also favour
the psychosocial assistance of persons infected and affected, thus encouraging
most youths and adults to do the HIV/AIDS test, an young spouse to do their
pre-marital test.
Description: the "Nyagwa ma boa" women's groups has extended their training,
in the ways to prevent HIVI/AIDS and to take care psychosocially of the infected
and affected persons, to other tribal groups in the coastal region of Cameroon.
These women have created groups to sensitise the general public and these
groups meet weekly to elaborate different action plan. They also organise educative talks and debates with other groups and associations with the testimonies of
a person infected. During traditional rituals, cultural or social at least 15 minutes
are consecrated for talks on STD/AIDS.
Lessons learned: Inspire all the difficulties, poverty and unemployment, the
initiative of Nyagwa ma boa led to a consciousness of the risks generated by
STD/AIDS. It is proven by the creating number of people who go to do their test
and the creation of solidarity networks in the region.
Recommendations: The traditional practices of the "Nyagwa ma boa" and the
their methods to create groups in different communities for sensitisation should
be appropriate model for other regions.
Presenting author: Jean-Baptiste Njayang, P.O. Box 89 E.E.C. Foyer de Jeunesse d'Akwa, P.O. Box 8947 E.E.C. Grand Moulin, Douala, Cameroon, Tel.:
[phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeF6658 Community local response to HIV/AIDS
W. Silomba. Chikankata Hospital, Chikankata Hospital, Private Bag S-2,
Mazabuka, Zambia
At Chikankata Hospital we pioneered home based care (HBC) with much success leading to the abolition of sexual ritual cleansing and modification of risk
behaviour such as wife in heritance. The concept of HBC has been replicated the
world over and provides one of the best community responses to HIV/AIDS.
Over the years, we have examined our own work and refined our strategy to make
it more responsive to the needs and challenges that are emerging today. This refining of our work is in response to the challenge posed by the magnitude and
severity, which the AIDS epidemic represents. We are convinced now than before
that all sectors be it at national, social and political community level need to be
involved meaningfully in the fight against AIDS. The unfolding scenario is that of
community sectors discarding shackles of exclusiveness and embracing the need
to form networks of care and prevention teams (CPT). These teams provide compassionate, effective and cost sensitive care to people who have the disease and
those affected. Within the CPT we are seeing sustained and unprecedented education efforts that lead to effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment. For care
and prevention to be effective, there is need for leadership that inspires, direct
and organise the fight against HIV/AIDS at local, national and international levels.
Resources drawn from all sectors are important and should be appreciated. As
long as communities are involved in all the stages for AIDS care and prevention,
significant strides towards reducing levels of infection and alleviating suffering will
be achieved. All need to be involved because AIDS affects us all.
Presenting author: Weddy Silomba, Chikankata Hospital, Private Bag S-2, Mazabuka, Zambia, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: sathq
@coppernet.zm
WePeF6659 Lower extremity splinting to reduce pain and
dysfunction associated with Peripheral
Neuropathy in the HIV/AIDS population
R. Sandoval, A.J. Waguespack. Harris-Thomas Street Clinic, Rehabilitation
Services, 2015 Thomas St., Houston, TX, 77009, United States
Issues: Among the most common reasons for physical therapy referral of persons with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are pain and disability caused
by peripheral neuropathy (PN). The HIV virus has been associated with the destruction of large myelinated fibers leading to PN. More recently, PN has emerged
as a neurotoxic side effect to anti-retroviral drugs (e.g. DDI, DDC, and D4T) in 30

- 40% of those taking them. The purpose of this project is to present our experience in treating lower extremity PN pain/disability at a major urban HIV clinic.
Description: PN in the HIV+ population is reported to vary between 30 and 60%
of all PLWA's with increased reports in the later stages of AIDS. Of these, a majority are likely associated with drug neurotoxicity. Clinical findings in PN include pain
on plantar aspect of foot, poor tolerance of weight bearing activities, night cramping of the intrinsic muscles of the feet and calves, shortening/reduced pliability of

the plantar fascia, and mild edema of the lower leg and foot. Our approach emphasizes self stretching and deep tissue massage of the plantar fascia, and use
of a night splint.
Lessons learned: Two recent case studies are represented. Pre-treatment pain
levels averaged 8.5 on a 0 -10 self-reporting scale. Post-treatment pain levels reported averaged 3.0, a 65% reduction after one week use of night splint protocol.
Timed functional tasks including sit to stand, 50' walk, unloaded forward reach,
showed improvements in these two studied cases.
Recommendations: The incidence of PN, a debilitating syndrome, may continue
to increase as the life-span of the HIV population is extended. Tailored to address plantar fascia dysfunction and edema. Physical Therapy reduces pain ad
promotes mobility. Further studies are planned to examine effective treatment
strategies and outcomes, and to promote a more evidence-based practice for this
significant clinical challenge.
Presenting author: Roberto Sandoval, 2015 Thomas St., Houston, TX,
77009, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
robert sandoval @ hchd.tmc.edu
WePeF6660 Treating HIV disease through Psychosynthesis
P. Vyras1, M. Kissandraki 1, N. Papadopoulos1, G. Papadopoulos2, D. Brimis2,
K. Serafeimidou2, E. Stavrakaki2, M. Melissurgaki2, M. Bunialetos2. IELPIDA,
Athens, Greece; 2Venizeleion Hospital Herakleion, Greece
Issues: Psychosynthesis is a therapy system rooted in the beginnings of western depth psychology. It has become increasingly valued over the years for its
contribution to understanding self-healing mechanisms.
Description: 26 persons living with HIV were regularly treated by trained psychosynthesis therapists over a period of one year. Specific techniques and exercises were applied for exploring the path to inner healing and self realisation
as well as for generating psychological well being, rewarding relationships and
a profound sense of self acceptance with openings to spiritual perspectives. By
using meditation, guided imagery, affirmations and a spiritual diary patients in this
experiment have dealt with putting intentionality into action, balancing the practical and transcendent aspects of their lives and attaining a sense of true healing
to deep psychological cleavages.
Lessons learned: This method of working with people is comprehensive and
inspiring. It enriches daily living by combining both a respect for every day life
problems and a recognition of the higher reaches of human nature. These individuals were assisted to address existential questions and to bring together many
divergent aspects of inner life.
Recommendation: Psychosynthesis should be more broadly used in complementary treatment of HIV. This therapeutic process can be a very powerful tool in
coping with disease and maintaining good health.
Presenting author: Panayiotis Vyras, Gen. Kolokotroni 59, Athens 11741,
Greece., Greece, E-mail: [email protected]
WePeF6661I Herbal medicinal products for the HIVpositive/AIDS patient population
K. Kraisintu, A. Eksaengsri. Government Pharmaceutical Organization,
Bangkok, Thailand
Background: Recentlythere has been a revival in the use of traditional medicine
to treat modern diseases worldwide.The major source of traditional medicine is in
developing countries in which large portions of the populations still rely heavily on
indigenous traditional practitioners and local medicinal plants for satisfying their
primary health care needs.Herbal remedies have three main advantages over
modern synthetic drugs.The first is that their long term use already establishes
a certain degree of safety and efficacy for human consumption.The second advantage arises out of the use of crude plant materials, which are less costly to
prepare than the isolated medicinal compounds.In these crude plant materials
with many natural components, several compounds in the plant may act synergistically to increase the effectiveness of the crude plant preparation compared
to isolated compounds.The third advantage of the use of medicinal plants is a
reduced incidence of adverse drug reactions common to most therapies utilizing
synthetic drugs.
Methods: The therapy presented here for the treatment of AIDS makes use of two
herbal medicinal products.The first is a combination of medicinal plant extracts in
measured proportion, NATURPLEX and the second is a single medicinal plant,
CORDEX.The main measures of treatment efficacy are CD4 cell counts,body
weights and Karnofsky score.
Results: This combination therapy acts by inhibiting opportunistic infections with
concurrent stimulation of the immune system.By increasing the body's ability
to fight infecting microorganisms,the symptoms associated with AIDS are suppressed or eliminated.The cost of treatment is 33 times less than standard therapy.
Conclusions: The success of this open-label trial gave investigators and HIV
positive/AIDS patients hope for a healthy recovery using integrated protocol.It has
been established that treatment of the illness at early stages is more beneficial
than late stage interventions.
Presenting author: Krisana Kraisintu, 75/1 Rama6 road, Rajthevi, Bangkok
10400, Thailand, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: krisana
@mozart.inet.co.th