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

532 Abstracts ThOrE1456-ThOrE1l460

XIV International AIDS Conference

ThOrEl 4561 Art culture and media for HIV/AIDS prevention and
control
P.A.R. Parmar. Project Director, JKSAPCS, B 35 Govt Quarters Near Gandhi,
Nagar Hospital Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir, India
Issues: Jammu and Kashmir is an insurgency affected State having diversified relief, extreme climatic conditions, varied racial, cultural and ethnic groups. Reaching out to people with HIV/AIDS prevention and control messages is most challenging task. However Art and Culture of Jammu and Kashmir alongwith media
Campaign has been used very effectively to increase the awareness.
Description: This paper will describe how J&K State AIDS Prevention and Control Society had planned Information,Education and Communication(IEC). Strategies with the help of local Art and Culture and effective media Campaign to reach
out to different racial, ethnic and Cultural groups. Renowned writers, poets, Artists
and folk dancers of State from different racial, ethnic and cultural groups had been
thoroughly sensitised about HIV/AIDS related issues through series of workshops
and requested them to develop appropriate IEC material for HIV/AIDS Prevention
and Control. Radio spots, Radio Jingles have been composed.TV spots have
been made. Appropriate print material had been developed by Artists and used in
making posters, leaflets, cover pages of books and hoardings in different scripts
and languages. Themes for traditional theatre groups and folk for live performances dancers had been developed. IEC material had been disseminated all
over the state through intensive media campaign using Radio, TV, Newspapers
and live performances.
Lesson learned: Use of Art and Culture in IEC Campaign is very effective and
create a sense of involvement and ownership of efforts to fight against HIV/AIDS
among people.
Recommendations: This experiment recommends that mass media campaign
using local Art and Culture is relevant, provides information in local languages,
can appeal the people, It is cost effective and can reach across high risk, low
risk, urban, rural population and all geographical sites, sustainable and can be
replicated in other States.
Presenting author: Ashok Kumar Parmar Parmar, B 35 Govt Quarters Near
Gandhi, Nagar Hospital Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir, India, Tel.: [phone],438722,457247, Fax: [phone], E-mail: vipul22_23@yahoo.
com
ThOrEl 457 Social-cultural theater play: "Red alert - the school
goes to the theater"
M.O.S. Portela. Medikus, Av Ri Branco, 133 sala1704, Centro - Rio de Janeiro,
20040-006, Brazil
Description/experience report: Its social-cultural concept (social: bringing important information on AIDS prevention to a public of students in a simple and
specific language, through the play "RED ALERT", and cultural: stimulating the
interest of students regarding drama) has grown significantly in Brazil, with the
agreement between the group that created the project and the Museu Nacional
de Belas Artes - MNBA/BR (National Arts Museum), which then offered to the
Project its physical space, its collection and its team of educational monitors.
Objectives: We objectively intend to present our play at "AIDS 2002/
BARCELONA" (XIV INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE BARCELONA,
SPAIN, JULY 7 - 12, 2002), either in English or in Spanish, as the event's coordination wishes.
It's important to note that all costs inherent to our participation shall be covered
by sponsors.
Results and continuity: The next stages of the Project in Brazil shall be the
formation of a new production team to act in the suburban schools in the city of
Rio de Janeiro (youngsters who do not have access to MNBA) and, by reaching
its maturity in the city, the establishment of new partnerships with the City Governments of the State of Rio de Janeiro in order to present the play in the streets
on weekends, always followed by the discussion forums on AIDS.
Lessons learned: We believe that our Project "RED ALERT/THE SCHOOL
GOES TO THE THEATER" should be presented in this Conference because,
although it has never been played abroad before and is evidently an entpreneur
project, it positions itself as unquestionably useful to students, teaching them
prevention in an academic way; to the schools, stimulating them to participate
in extra-class projects; to the society, making it bring to its bosom more aware
citizens; and lastly, to work as an incentive to the members of the Conference,
regarding similar projects in their countries.
Presenting author: Marcia Portela, Av. Ri Branco, 133 salal704, Centro - Rio
de Janeiro, 20040-006, Brazil, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone],
E-mail: [email protected]
ThOrE1458 For the love of life - theatre against AIDS
M.E. Barrios1, J. Quino2. 1Labyrinth Theatre and Puppets, Xochicalco 647#2,

Col. Letran Valle, Mdxico, D.F, D.F, Mexico; 2 Theatreand AIDS, Mexico City,
Mexico
Issues: Theater workshops as a means of education, prevention, information and
sensitization about HIV/AIDS; use of theatrical events to raise awareness about
issues.
Description: Since 1988 Labyrinth Theatre & Puppets (LTP) has created presentations using puppets and actors in workshops, courses and conferences about

HIV/AIDS. We endeavor to reach the most isolated communities using the creative paths that theatre offers to bring them clear, precise information. We created
three shows that we took on tour, beginning the first massive campaigns about
HIV/AIDS in Tabasco, in the communities along the river Usumacinta on a boat.
We also toured Colima; Chiapas, including Zapatista territory and the Guatemala
border; and border towns along both sides of the Mexico-U.S. border. We have
performed for at least 3525 people on the roof of the riverboat, in theatres, schoolrooms, on soccer fields, in bars, discos, streets and plazas.
Since 1994 LTP joined with Theatre & AIDS. Together we founded an annual Theatre & AIDS Festivals. Our work has received recognition by UNAIDS, UNAM and
the Rockefeller Foundation.
Lessons learned: The use of puppets is an excellent educational method that
sensitizes the public through dramatic play. Theatre creates a point of entry into
different communities and helps sensitize the attendees to the issues, especially
issues that are difficult to address like sexuality and HIV/AIDS. The importance
of theatre as didactic material is that it allows spectators of all ages to look at
concrete situations and think, "what would I do in the same situation?"
Recommendations: Continue supporting creative projects; provide opportunities in different scientific and educative forums to make creative proposals; invite
theatrical groups to present at congresses, symposia, and large conferences.
Presenting author: Martha Barrios, Xochicalco 647#2, Col. Letran Valle, Mexico, D.F., D.F., Mexico, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]

ThOrE1459

Regional anti-discrimination and
anti-stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Creating positive attitude towards PLWHA by
organizing national and regional competitions in
visual arts for community members. Four years of
Red Cross/Red Crescent experience in Asia-Pacific

S. Seebacher. International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies,
IFRC, Regional Delegation, Bangkok, Ocean Tower 2, 18th Floor, 75/26
Sukhumvit 19, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand
Issues: HIV/AIDS related stigmatization and discrimination are key issues in
many countries of the Asia-Pacific region, causing an inefficient and/or inadequate response to the epidemic. To address the issue, the East and Southeast
Asia Regional Health Unit, Bangkok, of the International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies conducted two region-wide campaigns among Red
Cross/Red Crescent National Societies (RC/RC) in the region.
Description: The paper describes the objectives, main strategies and main activities of the two regional competitions, which involved RC/RC societies in 25 countries in Asia-Pacific. Each of these countries conducted national competitions as
well. The paper analyses the main advantages and challenges in utilizing visual
art competitions for anti-discrimination work and reports on the results of the two
competitions.
Lessons learnt: Non-HIV/AIDS specialized mass organization like the Red
Cross/Red Crescent can play an important role in the work against HIV/AIDSrelated discrimination. National/regional competitions in visual arts are appropriate tools for these organizations for advocacy work on community level, and to
initiate discussions on HIV/AIDS-related stigmatization.
Recommendations: Competitions in visual art are an excellent tool for mass organizations to start discussions on HIV/AIDS-related discrimination and should
be more widely used within mass organizations. They should be more often considered in other organizational settings (e.g. schools, youth organizations).
Presenting author: Stefan Seebacher, IFRC, Regional Delegation, Bangkok,
Ocean Tower 2, 18th Floor, 75/26 Sukhumvit 19, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand,
Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThOrE1 460 HIV Transmission and risk factors associated with
circumcision among Bagishu community, Uganda
K.A. Kataami, A.C. Akola. Joint Clinical Research Centre, Joint Clinical Research
Centre, Ring Road, Butikiro House, P 0. Box 10005, Kampala, Uganda
Background: The Bagishu is a tribe found in Mbale district in the Eastern region
of Uganda. Traditionally, Bagishu boys ranging from 12 - 20 years are circumcised
for initiation into manhood. During circumcision period (only even years) the major activity is dancing to traditional music and drinking alcohol, which incites the
people to sex. Circumcision is done by a local "surgeon" using a traditional knife.
In this era of AIDS the Bagishu risk contracting the AIDS virus through their circumcision practices.
Methods: HIV/AIDS awareness seminars were conducted throughout Mbale district during the year 1997. A radio programme was set in the local language aimed
at educating the local community in the district about HIV/AIDS. A health training
programme for local "surgeons" was started in 1997 for which certificates were
issued on completion of the training. A local "surgeon" is required to present his
certificate to relatives of the "candidate" before he is allowed to circumcise.
Results: Precaution measures against HIV transmission are highly observed during circumcision. Originally the culture did not allow one to be circumcised from
hospital but now it is accepted practice. Boys, more especially from educated families go to hospital to be circumcised by medical personnel, who are knowledgeable about the HIV transmisssion risk involved with circumcision. Others who are
not brave enough to stand the pain go to hospital to seek local anaesthesia before