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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts WePeG6915-WePeG6919 311

WePeG6915 Sex, sexuality, and the faith/religious
community-Helping Our Men Empower (HOME)
T.L. Watkins Jr.. Episcopal AIDS Ministry, Miami Beach, FL, United States
Issue: HIV prevention programs are little to non-existent in the faith community
particularly the Black Church. The Church is the most influential and effective
institution among People of Color that can educate and embrace its members
regarding HIV/AIDS, but is neglecting to do so because of barriers, namely homophobia.
Description: The HOME initiative is implemented to help prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS in black males (men of color), primarily gay, bisexual,transgender and MSMs (Men who have sex with Men).
In collaboration with organizations that provide a supportive environment to this
target population we implemented a program consisted of four components: 1)
street outreach - contact with perspective high risk clients in order to recruit into
program by providing HIV risk reduction materials; 2) HIV Prevention Case Management - participants are encouraged to test for HIV/STD, provided one-on-one
counseling and develop behavior goals and objectives; 3) group counseling - cofacilitated by a black gay male/spiritual counselor (ordained minister), to provide
information on psychosocial and spiritual issues; and, 4) monthly risk reduction
health forums - featuring community health, education, mental health professionals that will address particular issues for medical, physical, psychological and
spiritual healthcare. The Ministry of Reconciliation was implemented to overcome
the barriers and stigmas in the faith community associated sexual minorities and
those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. This course follows a vision to form an
inclusive, affirming, enviornment for GLBTQ persons of color, and those infected
and affected by HIV/AIDS.
Lessons learned: The HOME program allowed us to outreach to 1,200 male
persons of color many of whom are MSMs and 65% remained in care.
Recommendations: Religious/fath based communities must respond positively
to HIV/AIDS prevention education and care in order to significantly reduce
HIV/AIDS prevalence.
Presenting author: Tommie L Watkins Jr., 1333 15th Street, Apartment 1, Miami
Beach, FL 33139 2260, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone]
3781, E-mail: [email protected]
WePeG6916 Harm reduction program among commercial sex
workers- injecting drug users in Lviv, Ukraine
M. Sluzhynska, V. Hylevich, O. Saluk, O. Kovalchuk. Salus Foundation, Lviv,
Ukraine
Issues: Spread of HIV/AIDS, is considered to be more rapid in Ukraine than
anywhere else in Europe. An enormous potential for continues spread of HIV
epidemic are Commercial Sex Workers- Injecting Drug Users (CSW - IDU).
Their awareness on HIV/STDs is shown to be very limited and they are totally
unaware about the relation between injecting drug using, unprotected sex and
HIV.
Description: With the financial support of Open Society Institute Harm Reduction Program - CSW Initiative has started as a main HIV-prevention strategy in
7 cities of Ukraine in 2001, one of them in Lviv. It envisages awareness creation among target groups on HIV transmission modes; provision of individual
protection means (disposable syringes, needles, disinfectants, condoms, and lubricants); diagnosis and treatment of STDs. The final objective is to achieve behavior change in CSW-IDU and to prevent spread of HIV and STDs through injecting drug use and sexual intercourse.
The following principals are ensured: withdrawal of restrictive measures and respect of human rights; voluntary participation; confidentiality; friendliness and
support; wide involvement of representatives of the target groups in the project
planning and implementation.
Lessons learned: A short period of the project work and involvement of only
a part of CSW in Lviv region does not allow to draw any conclusions yet about
HIV reduction level. Naturally, during the work of the project the awareness of
women of prevention of HIV and STDs, safe sexual behavior, safe drug use has
increased.
The survey on the level of awareness of women is planned be held at the end of
the project work.
Recommendation: The real changes in the level of health and social harms related to illegal drug use, especially the risk of HIV infection are to be expected
at least after 3-5 years of project implementation on condition of involvement of
80-90% CSW to the project.
Presenting author: Maryana Sluzhynska, P.O.B.320, Lviv 79000, Ukraine, Tel.:
[phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeG691 7 Prevention of STD/AIDS among Men who have Sex
with Men in Sao Paulo - Brazil
F.C. Mesquita, R. Nunes, R.C. Bueno, D.R Trigueiros, C.R. Souza, M.C. Abbate,

G. Turienzo. STD/AIDS Coordination of Sao Paulo City Health Department, Sao
Paulo, Brazil
Issue: Sao Paulo, the biggest city in Brazil with almost 11 million inhabitants has
the biggest gay community in Latin America. AIDS epidemic in Brazil has already
reported 215.805 cases until december of 2001. MSM are the second most important category of transmission in Sao Paulo and stands for 25% of the total

cases. Prevention activities directed to this population is crucial to control the
AIDS epidemic in Sao Paulo.
Description: Since Jannuary 2001 the STD/AIDS Coordenation of the city of Sao
Paulo startened the connection with gay organizations and started a process of
sharing regional areas and gay facilities in order to improve the prevention, offering condom, information and health care.
Lessons learned: The democratization of the process with partnership and commitment are being key tool to improve the achievement of the gay community.
Recommendations: The experience of the gay movement and the political power
of the city government can work togheter to prevent spread of STD/AIDS in the
gay community.
Presenting author: Regiani Nunes, R General Jardim, 36, 5 andar, VI Buarque,
01223-010 Sdo Paulo, Brazil, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone],
E-mail: [email protected]
WePeG6918 Harm Reduction: A broader concept to improve
health quality of Brazilian Transgender Population
R. Bueno, C. Abbate, D.P Trigueiros, R. Nunes, C.R. Souza, G. Turienzo,
F. Mesquita. STD/AIDS Coordination of Sdo Paulo City Health Department, Rua
Maria Figueiredo 85 ap 54, J Paulista, Sdo Paulo - SP, 04002000, Brazil
Issue: The City of Sao Paulo in Brazil has 22% of the total AIDS cases in the
country The epidemic that historically spread also among sex workers has a
particular issues on the transgender population. Transgenders are vulnerable to
the epidemic by their own behavior, but mostly by the lack in the health system
and social conditions, that includes their sexual exploitation in abroad-developed
countries.
Description: During the year of 2001 we started a comprehensive approach to
deal with this population including: improvement of their citizenship, support in
their problem with the law enforcement authorities, discussion of the harm reduction strategy in a broader perspective to them (besides the needles and syringes
for the ones that are IDUs, we are working on safe injection of liquid silicone and
hormones, safe sex and mental health support as well). We are also working in
their self-organization and in their enrollment in the AIDS care system in the City
of Sao Paulo.
Lessons learned: we learned that there are many specific questions point out
in this population that is totally different from females or even males sex workers.
They are also not identified themselves with the Gay movement. It is bean clearly
a good initiative the specific dedication to such population in order to improve their
quality of life and prevent health and social consequences of their vulnerabilities.
The broader concept of Harm Reduction is being crucial tool to work in this field.
Recommendations: we strongly recommend the use of Harm Reduction approach to deal with the Transgenders in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Presenting author: Regina Bueno, Rua Maria Figueiredo 85 ap 54, J Paulista,
S.o Paulo - SP, 4002000, Brazil, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone],
E-mail: [email protected]
WePeG69199 The regulation of STI/HIV/AIDS control among sex
workers along the southern border of Mexico
S.M. Cuadra1, D. HernAndez 1, M. Caballero2, M.N. Bronfman2. 1Centro de
lnvestigacidn en Sistemas de Salud del Instituto Nacional de Salud Pliblica,
Instituto Nacional de Salud Ptblica de Mexico, Av. Universidad 655, oficina 212,
Colonia Santa Maria Ahuacatit/in, CP 62508, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico;
2 Centro de Investigacidn en Sistemas de Salud del Instituto Nacional de Salud
Pdbica de Mdxico, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
Background: In Mexico, health control for commercial sex workers is an obligatory requisite and periodic medical revisions to detect STI/HIV/AIDS among commercial sex workers (CSW) by the State. The objective is analyze health control
processes established for CSW working in bars, in relation to STI/HIV/AIDS prevention.
Method: A comparative analysis was used in two border cities in south Mexico: one with health control regulations and one without. This analysis forms part
of the Project on Mobile Populations and HIV/AIDS in Central America, Mexico
and the United States. This qualitative study consists of 117 in-depth interviews
conducted with CSW, health care workers, NGOs and key informers, carried out
during January and February 2001.
Results: Health control is an obligatory requisite for both cities. In the city with
regulatory schemes, medical revisions were carried out in private clinics; in the
other city, these were carried out within public health facilities. These medical
services were perceived by the CSW as health protection measures. The policies
for health control are formed based on the concept of "risk groups" and CSW
are seen as "vector transmitters of STI/HIV/AIDS", leaving society's responsibility
aside. In both cities, local police monitor the fulfillment of health controls and fine
those CSW who do not wear updated certification cards, which tends to create
clandestine attitudes among the CSW.
Conclusions: The availability of regulations for controlling CSW represents more

of a punitive measure than a protective one for the CSW. In observance of the
legal system, Human Rights are often violated, thus increasing the CSW's social
vulnerability, and particularly their vulnerability to STI/HIV/AIDS.
Presenting author: Silvia Magali Cuadra Hern.ndez, Instituto Nacional de Salud
Ptiblica de Mexico, Av. Universidad 655, oficina 212, Colonia Santa Maria Ahua