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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts WePeG6991-WePeG6995 327

WePeG6991 Networking and advocacy experience for AIDS
NGOs in Kenya
J. Kitheka. 62961, Nairobi, Kenya
The problem of HIV/AIDS cannot be delat with by one organization alone. Networks that bring organizations together are a vital strategy in the response to
HIV/AIDS. Although many organizations recognize the vital role of networks, the
reality is that establishing an effective network is fraught with problems.
Description: This study, undertaken in Kenya in 2000 aimed to investigate the
factors that make networks strong and effective. The study also aimed to observe
the experiences and possibilities of carrying out networks in advocacy work in
order to design a training and support package for networks across Africa. The
study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods including semi
stractured interviews and decision workshops.
Lesson Learnt: The strenght of a network is in its members extent of ownership.
When a network lacks members ownership, its agenda is increasingly driven by
a small group. This causes frustrations and finally disentanglement from the network by other members.
Recommendations: Once the network has its strenght built though ownership by
all members, the network can begin to involve in more demanding activities like
advocacy. This is best done by building on local experiences ans issues that local
organization want to change rather than introducing advocacy as an external and
often alien concept.
Presenting author: Jonah Kitheka, 62961, Nairobi, Kenya, Tel.: [phone],
E-mail: [email protected]
WePeG6992 Religious organisation and instutions
P.C.M. Chandhramohan', R.J.M. Natraj2, T.V.R. Tummalapalli3. 1Head Dept. of
Anatomy, Khammam,; 2Department of Microbiology, Chidambaram,;
3Deptartment of Microbilogy Mamata Medical College, Associate Professor
Dept. Microbiology, Mamata Medical College, Khammam 507002
Issue: Human Immunodeficiency Virus infections continues to be a threat, in spite
of aggressive health education and availability of Antiretroviral drugs to slow down
the progress of the disease. India with a huge population of more than 1 billion,
many of the citizens are unaware of the consequences of HIV infection and AIDS,
majority are unable to buy few drugs to prolong the life, avoiding opportunistic infections, without some financial aid from state or charity. Several surveys proved
that the infected persons are afraid of the fear of rejection by family and society,
leading to social isolation rather the outcome of the disease. The social isolation of individuals is leading to anxiety disorders and suicidal tendencies. It is
observed in many cases that inherent education in religious preaching's, unlawful
sex is a sin and the consequences are punishable. There should be basic change
in religious thinking to accept AIDS is not a sin but consequence of change in social behavior of man due to rapid industrializations.
Description: 1. Project work deals with attitude of HIV infected persons on problems with religious taboos and acceptance. 2. Attitude of the Hinduism, Christianity and Islam towards HIV infected and AIDS patients. 3. Attitude of different
religious leaders on the issue of moral education.
Lessons learned: 1. 85% of infected of patients feel that society is inbuilt with
religious taboos, they feel that religion should address the suffering. 2. There is
more religious acceptance among Christians(79%) and least among the Muslims(11%). 3. 28% of the orthodox believers in religion feel that mere sex education may not benefit the spread of AIDS without finding ways to improve moral
and ethical standards.
Recommendations: Many moderate religious believers (73%) feel that spread of
AIDS is not merely a infection of a individual with virus,but a social disorder with
detoriating moral and ethical values.
Presenting author: Venkateswara Rao Tummalapalli, Associate Professor
Dept.Microbiology, Mamata Medical College, Khammam 507002, India, Tel.:
[phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeG6993 A Catholic diocese's experience in implementing
an HIV prevention program for youth
G. Habumugabe', p. Ndabamenye2 'Abbott - Priest Byumba Catholic Diocese,
FH/ Rwanda, Impact Rwanda, Avenue Paul IV BP 3149 Kigali, Rwanda; 2Family
Health International, Kigali, Rwanda
Issues: Adult HIV prevalence in Rwanda is estimated at 11.1%. For 15-19 year
olds, prevalence is estimated at 6% and for 20-25 year olds, 11.25%. To prevent
HIV among youth in Byumba, the Byumba Catholic Diocese launched prevention
program.
Description: The project began in Feb. 2001, targeting 12,000 unmarried youth
aged 15-25. The project is using as its primary strategy. A team of 127 volunteer
peer educators (PE), 12 community-based PE coordinators, 41 catechists, and
4 supervisors implements the project. An Abbot serves as project director. The

project initially conducted qualitative research in order to develop a curriculum to
train peer educators and a flipbook to use in conjunction with ten themes, including values, sexuality, STIs/HIV including condoms, and condom use, that the peer
educator introduces to his/her peers. In addition, the PE activities are supported
by a variety of community mobilization activities such as video shows, quarterly
magazine publication. The Diocese has also formed anti-AIDS clubs in secondary
schools, and has provided PE training to 41 of these club members.

Lessons Learned: The Catholic Church is an excellent partner for mobilizing
the population around HIV prevention. The Church is capable of implementing a
prevention program that includes all of the prevention options as long as it is implemented with sensitivity A good program of HIV prevention among youth should
not address only HIV/AIDS but other aspects of reproductive health as well. The
program must also be participatory and include sport, cultural and media activities.
Recommendation: To ensure program success, parents should be associated
with the project. Our program is planning to target parents with a cinema-mobile
plus discussion.
Presenting author: Deborah Murray, FHI Rwanda, Impact Rwanda, Avenue Paul
IV, BP 3149 Kigali, Rwanda, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]
WePeG6994 The vulnerability of moslin women in front of the
aids list in Cote d'lvoire
C.Z. Cissb1, C.Z. Cisse2. 1FRF S/DA, Abidjan, Cote dIvoire; 20 NG, 06 BP 792,
Cote d'voire
Issues: To make sensitive the rural Moslem women as for the utility of condoms,
to bring their couple to the systematic use of the condom during their transferred.
For lack of the mutual allegiance.
Description: Within the framework of the information about the sexual behavior
in rural environment (middle) a retrospective inquiry has been realized with the
ONG Rural Women In Front of AIDS, concerning the profile, knowledge and use
of the condom by the rural Moslem women in Cote d'lvoire.
The inquiry concerned discussions begun with various associations of Moslem
women implanted in the N'zi Comoe the ancient buckle of the cocoa of the Cote
d'lvoire.
Lessons learned: We met composed associations each on average 30 to 40
women. The analysis gave us by each of these associations that 75% of the
women ignore the existence of the condom and 20% know him(it) without for all
that using him(it) and 5% of women often speak about it with their couple, this
minority which speaks about it, is generally intellectual
Recommendation: ONG Rural Women in front of AIDS activities of which are
led and are directed to the women and the children contributes to the education
of the peers in rural environment. Stake is the awareness of the Moslem women
on the existence of the VIH / AIDS, to terminate the taboo which imposes on the
Moslem woman to be subjected to sound, making of her source of vulnerability
especially in the Islamic environment.
Presenting author: ZAHARA CISSE, 06 BP 792, Cote d'lvoire, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeG6995I Condoms: issues and controversies in a
predominantly catholic country
D.L. Garcia, O.T. Monzon, C.L. Calica, R.A. Ditangco, J.R. Dela Cruz,
E.M. Francisco, S.B. Edris. AIDS Society of the Philippines, 52-D 8th Avenue,
Bgy Socorro, Murphy, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines
Background: The Philippine Department of Health advocates the use of condoms as a protection against HIV transmission among persons with high-risk
since 1989. The condom promotion has been strengthened with the passing of
Republic Act 8504, otherwise known as the Philippine AIDS Prevention and Control Act of 1998.
Issues: 1. The political will to implement and translate the national law into local
policies particularly condom promotion in close coordination with local government, NGOs and religious sector.
2. There is a relatively high level of sexually transmitted infections with behavioral
data showing low level of condom use.
3. The Roman Catholic Church opposing condom use based on traditional moral
teachings of the church.
Description: A special media forum discussing the different issues and concerns on condom use was organized involving panel of experts from the Roman
Catholic, Department of Health, DKT Phils., an NGO involved in condom social
marketing and UNAIDS office. The session ignited a fiercest discussion among
the invited experts and layman's opinion on various ideas on condom use. The
forum showcased differing views in a unique manner. The session ended with a
unanimous voice that of choosing a solution to a problem such as condom us is
still far the best effective barrier against AIDS virus.
Lessons learned: The issue for a more compassionate treatment for people with
HIV/AIDS and to vulnerable population groups was high in the forum, as well as
the need to elevate the discussion of condoms to one that recognizes the reality
of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Recommendation: The meeting recognized the need to convene series of fora
that again feature religious people and social and medical experts who can soften
the rigid line that divides the advocacy for HIV/AIDS prevention and control and

the teaching of moral values.
Presenting author: Dominic Garcia, 52-D 8th Avenue, Bgy. Socorro, Murphy,
Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]