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

318 Abstracts WePeG6949-WePeG6952

XIV International AIDS Conference

Issues: Women in Prostitution face emotional, sexual and physical violence while
in prostitution and this has a direct telling on their power to protect themselves
from HIV AIDS. Their relationship with the State, their customers and those who
control them while living in institutionalised prostitution add dimensions which are
to be noted and addressed while conceiving of initiatives that will bring about the
desired result in safer health and greater social security
Description: The paper includes experiences of women in prostitution and children in prostitution in the context of brothel based prostitution is South Asia. The
status of such women is revealed by their access to agencies responsible for their
protection, care and support, as well as their ability to decide on their life, their
future and that of their children's as well. The analysis contains the nuances of
the value systems that are inherently in contradiction with their lifestyle, and how
they reconcile the contradiction between the two. While focussed initiatives on
health, often under Sexual Health Interventions, have organised women under a
common purpose, issues of violence that women face from the police, madams
and brothel owners remained unaddressed. The paper will map the development
in the organising of the women in the last one decade in brothel based prostitution
over the last one decade through various initiatives, and the effect it has had on
the status of prostituted women.
Presenting author: Indrani Sinha, 38B, Mahanirban Road, Kolkata - 700 029,
West Bengal, India, India, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]
WePeG6949 Role of private sector business in workplace
interventions on HIV/AIDS prevention, care and
control
S. Bhalla. Dr, CII, 23, Institutional Area, LOdi Road, New De/hi - 110003, India
Issue: To educate employees, families, the larger community on HIV/AIDS prevntion, care and control and strive to make the world a healthy place for our future
generation.
Description: The aim of the programme was to increase awareness among employees, families and the larger community on HIV/AIDS, since prevention is the
only answer. Education was the only way to eradicate deep- rooted prejudices,
myths and social stigma, related to transmission, care and control. A detailed KAB
study was done prior to interventions. The programme was started with a sensitization and an advocacy campaign for management and union leaders. Then a
training of trainers was organized for peer educators. The education programme
for employees included interactive sessions, film/slide shows and distribution of
literature. Peer educators hold regular programmes with employees as well as the
larger community. This was and is followed by counselling and a referral network
of service agencies in the community. Street plays, slogans, banner and poster
competitions are organized in the community as part of the out reach activity.
Reinforcing the programme is the formulation of a written HIV/AIDS Workplace
Policy by the company. The programme was extended to the youth as part of
growing up years education on sexuality. All programmes are done in English,
Hindi and Marathi.
Lesson learned: An educated workforce, over 10,000; over 1500 youth trained
and educated, 80 trainers, 300 apprentice trainee educated, over 1000 municipal
and slum children educated and over 206 programmes organized. The company
won the Global Business Council Award in 1999.
Recommendations: Commitment dispels fears and misinformation about AIDS
and provides warmth and concern for those infected and affected. It enhances
corporate value in society as a real leader.
Presenting author: Dr Sandhya Bhalla, CII, 23, Institutional Area, LOdi Road,
New Delhi - 110003, India, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]
WePeG6950 IAssessment of the quality of health care workers
training on HIV/AIDS
E. Stepanova, A. Scherbo. Medical Academy for Postgraduate Studies,
Kirochnaya street 41, Medical Academy for Postgraduate Studies,
Saint-Petersburg, 193015, Russian Federation
Background: During intensive spread of HIV epidemic in Russia highly qualified
specialists are urgently needed in the country. Special attention should be paid to
training of health care workers who would be responsible for the care of HIV/AIDS
patients.
Methods: To evaluate the quality of health care workers training on HIV/AIDS
the anonymous questioning was done at the Medical Academy for Postgraduate
Studies. Over 100 physicians of different specialties (internal diseases - 30, infectious diseases - 25, obstetrics/gynecology - 25, surgery - 10, TB - 10) were
questioned (St.Petersburg - 72, other regions of Russia - 40 physicians). Around
2/3 of physicians had >10 years of clinical practice.
Results: The analysis of questionnaires proved serious gaps in specialists'
knowledge on HIV/AIDS epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and prevention.

Correct answers were given by 52% of physicians only. Every other physician
did not follow recommendations on general precautions. Even smaller proportion (27%) was informed about special measures for infection prevention in
medical workers after occupational HIV exposure. No one specialist in obstetrics/gynaecology was able to answer questions on prevention of HIV vertical
transmission. All these physicians were not informed about methods for detection
of HIV infection in new-born children of HIV-positive mothers. Over 60% of physi
cians had quite poor knowledge on clinical aspects of HIV infection and AIDS.
Only 2 of 5 specialists (36%) were able to give correct answers on HIV laboratory
diagnostics and one of five physicians had sufficient knowledge and skills for preand post-test counselling.
Conclusions: Results of our sociological study showed very poor knowledge in
Russian health care workers on all aspects of HIV/AIDS problem. New training
programs developed by personnel of MAPS Department of Infectious Diseases
should be used for effective training of Russian medical specialists.
Presenting author: Elena Stepanova, Kirochnaya street 41, Medical Academy
for Postgraduate Studies, Saint-Petersburg, 193015, Russian Federation, Tel.: +7
(812) 277 64 96, Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeG6951 Shifting the burden of HIV/AIDS
J.L. Simon, S.B. Rosen. Center forInternational Health, Boston University
School of Public Health, Center forInternationalHealth, 715 Albany Street, 710,
Boston, MA 02118, United States
Background: As the economic burden generated by HIV/AIDS increases in subSaharan Africa, the allocation of the burden among levels and sectors of societies
is shifting. The private sector has greater scope than government or households
to avoid the economic burden of AIDS, and a systematic shift of the burden away
from the private sector is underway. This research describes and documents the
burden shift in South Africa.
Methods: We reviewed published and unpublished sources and interviewed
managers of large businesses in South Africa.
Results: Common practices that shift the AIDS burden from businesses to households and government include pre-employment screening, reduced benefits, restructured contracts, outsourcing of less skilled jobs, selective retrenchments, and
changes in production technologies. A 1999 survey of large employers found that
78 percent had reduced health care benefits or required larger contributions by
employees. Fewer than a third of medical aid schemes provided HIV/AIDS benefits as of 2000. Most firms have replaced defined benefit retirement funds, which
expose the firm to large annual costs but provide long-term support for families of
workers who die of AIDS, with defined contribution funds, which eliminate firm risk
but provide little to families of younger workers. "Casualizing" or contracting out of
previously permanent jobs also shields firms from costs while leaving households
and government to care for workers with AIDS and their dependents.
Conclusion: The shifting of the economic burden of AIDS is a rational and predictable response by business to which a thoughtful and deliberate public policy
response is needed. As the private sector reduces its share of the burden and
governments decline to expand theirs, households will inevitably bear an even
greater share. Countries should make explicit decisions about each sector's responsibilities if a socially desirable allocation is to be achieved.
Presenting author: Jonathon Simon, Center for International Health, 715 Albany
Street, 710, Boston, MA 02118, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeG6952 The role of Europe's largest condom manufacturer
(condomi) in South Africa
S.P. Cole. condomi plus GmbH, condomi plus GmbH, Venloer Strasse 231b,
D-50823 Ko/n, Germany
Issues: Sub Sahara Africa has the greatest number of HIV/AIDS cases in the
world. Using the saying 'bring the solution close to the problem" condomi have
started the process of building a manufacturing facility in South Africa. They bring
with them reproductive know how to integrate Government, NGO's and Private
Organisations to focus on the HIV/AIDS problem in a structured and co-ordinated
way.
Descriptions: By strategic partnerships between condomi and 4 important
NGO's a structured and novel approach has been achieved. Linkage between
business and IEC Centres, allows, quality information to be available at a community and work. Coordination of material is needed to ensure no duplication and
also that material can be translated into important local languages.
Accessibility is also enhanced by strategic partnerships with parties who have influence or new distribution channels, this will lead to another 40 million condoms
being made available in new channels. condomi, through an innovative business
approach can generate financing for co-operating NGOs.
It should also be stressed that through the building of the factory over 100 jobs
have been created.
Lessons learned: NGO's are looking for strategic partners to supplement some
of the resource gaps. Bringing together important parties in the country has created a co-ordinated effort to focus on the statement of enhanced IEC dissemination. It should be also pointed out that many businesses have identified the
commercial impact of HIV/AIDS, and are very willing to get involved from a practical standpoint.
Recommendations: There is a need for more commercial organisations to look

for and develop strategic partnerships to enhance the message of behavioural
change. condomi has already begun this process and the work completed will
act as a suitable template for other companies. condomi would be delighted to
discuss these opportunities with other companies and International Development
Agencies
Presenting author: Simon Cole, condomi plus GmbH, Venloer Strasse 231b,