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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts WePeF6782-WePeF6785 277

objectives: to patients: to allow your adaptation of soropositivity, to make aware
of need to health care and to facilitate treatment adherence; to health care students/professionals: to exercise the interdisciplinary practice and to make abilities
to work with an integral practice.
Lesson learned: Something like 140 physicians and 20 psychologists are training
in this ambulatory setting by year, working together, exercising the change information, with an approach of wisdom and persons. This strategy makes possible
better assistance and exercise of interdisciplinarity.
Recommendations: This procedure to teaching get conscience to professionals
to understand your therapeutically significance, to work like a team, to comprehend the health disease process inside an integral perspective, to facilitate the
welcoming and bond with patients and to take treatment adherence. We think
these are the fundamental axles to care of people living with HIV/Aids.
Presenting author: Denise Lima, Rua Macedo Sobrinho numero 4 apartamento
901, Bairro HumaitA, Cidade Rio de Janeiro, CEP:22271-080, Brazil, Tel.: +55
(21) 25350626, Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeF6782 Networking for the advancement of nursing and
midwifery in HIV/AIDS prevention, care and
support
S. Zengwal, G.M. Msiska1, S. Anderson2. 'Sannam, PO Box 2687, Pretoria,
0001, South Africa; 2UNAIDS, Pretoria, South Africa
Issues: Southern Africa is one of the regions worst hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Nurses in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are having to
cope with the changing complexity and demand of HIV/AIDS in health facilities
and community settings.
A key factor in improving the quality of HIV/AIDS care and prevention depends on
acknowledging and maximizing nurses' role in the epidemic, as the largest group
of care providers in health care settings and communities.
Description: SANNAM is a network of nursing organizations in SADC. It aims to
make a significant impact on HIV/AIDS care and prevention by strengthening the
role of nurses and midwives in the region. The network shares information, promotes, best practices and builds capacity, through identifying nursing leadership
in key institutions and linking them in a consultative and participative process.The
establishment of SANNAM under the auspices of SADC Health Sector Coordinating Unit, the financial and in-kind support of funders, and nursing organizations
have enabled the network to make significant progress.
Lessons learned: * HIV/AIDS-related nursing care,prevention and support is
crucial. * Nurses and midwives are well placed to make a difference. * Up-todate information, including anti-retrovirals, for nurse educators and practitioners
is not readily available in SADC countries. * Lessons learned, are shared by networking in low-budget ways, fast tracking the scaling up responses. * Stigma and
denial influences the responses of nurses and midwives. * Caring for carers is a
critical success factor for lobbying and advocacy for change.
Recommendations: * Address, the impact of HIV/AIDS on nurses and midwives
including stigma, the needs of in-country support systems for caring for carers
to care. 9 Strengthen, institutional support for regional and in-country intervention, the network regionally and globally. e Maintain sustainable funding. 9 Build
capacity.
Presenting author: Glynis Msiska, PO Box 2687, Pretoria, 1, South Africa, Tel.:
[phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeF6783 Adherence Committee: A Model Of Intervention To
Enhance Adherence To Haart At The Aids Clinic,
University Of Sao Paulo, Brazil
S. Geraldes', V.L.V Nascimento2, S. Harter', M.P. Castro1, D.E. Uip'. 'Casa
da AIDS,University of Sao Paulo, Frei Caneca,557, 01307-001, S5o Paulo,
Brazil; 2Casa da AIDS,University of Sao Paulo, Frei Caneca,557, Brazil
Issues: The AIDS Clinic of the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, is a referral center that provides outpatient and day hospital care to 3,594 people living with
HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Considering the importance of care to this population, a multiprofessional adherence committee was brought together to establish evaluation
and intervention actions to enhance adherence to therapy.
Description: The committee's activities include: 1)interviews with patients in
search of psychosocial factors that might be associated with poor adherence to
therapy; 2)encouragement and motivation aiming at an active involvement of the
patient in his/her therapy; 3)evaluation and reinforcement of the relationship between patient and the health workers' team; 4)case discussions; 5)interventions:
multiprofessional follow-up, replacement of main caregiver or nomination of an
ancillary caregiver; 6)involvement of the patient in adherence support groups;
7)preparation of informative material for patients;9)feedback information to caregivers.
Lessons learned: From Oct 2000 to Dec 2001, 122 patients (67% men and 33%
women) have been referred to the adherence committee, 36% under therapy for

2-4 years. 42% had discontinued HIV/AIDS therapy, 38% repeatedly missed their
visits to the center and 20% informed inconsistent use of prescribed antiretroviral regimens. Main reasons for having missed appointments were: disencouragement, depression or denial of HIV/AIDS diagnosis (42%), lack of financial
resources (13%), difficulties in patient-caregiver relationship (8%), difficulties in
leaving job to attend medical visits (15%). Interventions proposed by the adherence committee have made 90% of patients resume regular HIV/AIDS therapy.

Recommendations: Establishing communication channels capable of detecting
psychosocial aspects associated to poor adherence to HIV/AIDS and improving
patient-caregiver relationship are essential to assure a longer life expectancy and
a better quality of life of PLWHAs.
Presenting author: Sonia Geraldes, Frei Caneca,557, 01307-001, S&o Paulo,
Brazil, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: casaaids@zerbini.
org.br
WePeF6784 Information and psychosocial support
D.X.P. Xancho. Actua Association, Gomis 38, Bjos, 08023 Barcelona
Theme: The efficiency of a global programme of individual and groupe intervention in the psychosocial context of infection with hiv (1992-2002).
Description: Our intervention aims at minimizing the emotional impact of persons living with hiv/aids, regarding the implications related to their own health as
well as related to their most nearby social environment (personal, social, work
and family).
Finally, it helps to cope with the changes that will take place and to deal with the
extra burdens that will arise, socially as well as medically.
To make this possible this service offers information, advice and support on an
individual basis. Besides it is completed with mutual help between persons that
have a similar life, in order to diminish the sensation of isolation.
The attention to the infected person is realized by the following services: individual
counselling, telephonic help service, groups of mutual help, additional services
regarding health, a web page (specific chats for seropositive and serodiscordant
persons) and publications.
Lectures of learning: The acquired experience from the year of 1992 when the
programme started, shows us amongst other aspects that:
- there is an improvement in what is being refered to as dealing yourself with the
infection.
- it is helpful for a better therapeutic adhesion, given that there is also a better understanding of the farmacological diet and a higher degree of information
concerning how to deal with adverse effects.
- the level of relationship with the environment and basic communication skills
improve.
- it helps to overcome the difficulties between doctor and patient, improving their
relationship in a qualitative way.
Recommendations: This service offers a confidential place where the infected
person receives professionalized help that will make it possible for him to cope
with his needs concerning hiv/aids.
Presenting author: David Xancho, Gomis 38, Bjos, 08023 Barcelona, Spain,
Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
SWePeF6785 The companions (buddies) project for people
living with HIVIAIDS in Israel
V. Ben-Herut', M.A. Germanovitch', L. Ben-Moshe', N. Bessudo-Manor2,
D. Chemtob2. 1 The Israel AIDS Task Force, 10a Geula St., PO.Box 4071,
Tel-Aviv, 61040, Israel; 2Department of Tuberculosis & AIDS, Public Health
Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel
Issues: Many people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA) experience loneliness and social isolation. Some even hide the fact that they are HIV positive from their family
and friends.
This state of isolation also affects the compliance to medical treatment. The Companions (Buddies) Project of the Israel AIDS Task Force (IATF), supported by the
Ministry of Health is meant to help PLWA with the social aspects and the daily
struggle with the disease and the treatment.
Description: The Companions Project is offered throughout Israel. The project
aims to address some major needs of PLWA by offering a close companion for
the purposes of friendship and support on a permanent and ongoing basis. The
companions receive extensive training and are under professional supervision.
Most individuals that benefit from this project belong to what is considered to be a
"hard to reach population". In addition to the above characteristics, most individuals are of low socio-economic status. During the past 2 years 60 PLWA joined
the project, with each gender represented equally. The average age was 38 years
old, (range - 21 to 60). Currently, 44 PLWA are in the project - 20 native Israelis,
and 24 of foreign descent (mainly from sub-Saharan Africa and the former Soviet
Union).
Lessons learned: PLWA who are paired with a buddy report a substantial change
in their lives. For some the buddy is a necessary part of life, for others a means to
reach a better and more hopeful place. Most PLWA are indebted to their buddy,
who is sometimes the only person that gives them strength and cheers them up.
This helps PLWA take care of themselves, accept themselves, and comply with
the medical treatment.
Recommendations: This form of personal one-on-one support is crucial to the
wellbeing and compliance of these PLWA. During the past two years we are work
ing to expand this project so that every person in need of a companion can receive
one.
Presenting author: Vered Ben-Herut, 10a Geula St., PO.Box 4071, Tel-Aviv,
61040, Israel, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]