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

536 Abstracts ThPeE7780-ThPeE7784

XIV International AIDS Conference

ThPeE7780 Masculinity, sexuality and violence: making of new
vulnerables
A.R. Pokakillath. Naz Foundation (India) Trust, New Delhi, India
Background: Masculinity is often understood as opposed to femininity and therefore is perceived as the roles, responsibilities, privileges, power and sexuality
that men possess in relation to women. The practice of masculinity, often violent against women, is explained as acts of men to confirm their masculinity and
power. However, masculinity, mediated through different complex contexts, is not
merely oppressive towards women but also towards men who deviate from the
dominant notions of masculinity. In this context, the homosexual identity of a man,
which is a deviant form of dominant masculine sexuality, makes him the object of
violence. This study explores violence towards the MSM from within and without
and violence against wife by MSM. It also examines the gender dynamics of the
kotis (transgender community) in Delhi, India. this study also attempts to understand the prevalent notions of masculinity among the MSM and heterosexuals;
to explore sexual behavior and sexual practices of MSM, to examine the notions
of violence, and to unearth experiences and practices of violence against wife
and partner in order to understand the linkage between masculinity, violence and
health.
Methods: qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed for data
collection, in which Focussed Group Discussions, In-depth Interviews and quantitative questionnaire were used. 24 In-depth Interviews, 4 FGDs, and 152 quantitative samples were examined.
Results: 81% samples report agreement on the characteristics of masculinity
69%MSM samples have multiple partners. 46%-married samples had forced sex
with wives. While 35% MSM samples experience forced sex.
Conclusions: Violence on the transgender and MSM resulted from the expression of masculinity, and the transmission of violence to women heightens risky
sexual practices and creates a complex situation for the proliferation of STIs and
HIV.
Presenting author: Abdul Rahiman Pokakillath, D 45, Gulmohar Park, New
Delhi, 110049, India, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeE7781I Violence, abuse, and HIV risk among Black women
K.R.J. Arriola. RSPH of Emory University RSPH of Emory University, 1518
Clifton Road, NE, Room 510, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
Background: Non-Hispanic Black women constitute 13% of the US female population, yet account for 68% of all HIV infected women in this country (CDC, 2000;
US Census Bureau, 2000). Researchers have identified violence and abuse as
correlates of increased sexual risk taking in this population, however, there is little understanding of Black women's personal experiences of violence and abuse
and how these experiences confer risk for HIV. The current study utilized both
qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to develop this knowledge.
Method: Black women (N=30) underwent an in-depth interview with questions
about being a Black woman, social support resources, primary and secondary
relationships and partner characteristics, and respondents' sexual behavior. After
each interview, respondents completed a brief questionnaire that captured demographic information, HIV risk behavior, concern about HIV/AIDS, and experiences
of childhood sexual abuse.
Results: Respondents described experiences such as physical abuse by a sexual partner (11), rape by an acquaintance or partner (9), and childhood sexual
abuse by a family member or friend (6). Qualitative data suggest three pathways
whereby violence and abuse confer sexual risk: a) fear of negative partner reaction prohibits women from protecting themselves, b) the perpetrator has control
over a commodity that the respondent values thereby restricting her ability to
protect herself, c) experiences of violence and abuse produce feelings of helplessness so that victims lack the desire to protect themselves.
Conclusions: That experiences of sexual abuse confer risk for HIV/AIDS is clear.
The current study also suggests that situations of violence and abuse impact
Black women's psyche in a manner that influences future sexual risk taking as
well. Additional work on this topic is necessary to develop effective HIV prevention interventions for victims of violence and abuse.
Presenting author: Kimberly Jacob Arriola, RSPH of Emory University, 1518
Clifton Road, NE, Room 510, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeE7782 Domestic violence and sexual coercion: HIV risk
among Puerto Rican gay males
J. Toro-Alfonso, S.L. Rodriguez-Madera. University of Puerto Rico, PO Box
23174, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00931, Puerto Rico
Background: Sexual coercion as part of the cycle of domestic violence repre
sents a serious threat for HIV infection among partners in general, and gay and
bisexual men in particular. The possibility of forcing a partner to engage in unsafe
behavior for HIV infection is present as part of a myriad of control and abusive behaviors that conform domestic violence. Domestic violence is defined as a pattern
of behaviors that leads to coercion, domination, and control of another person by
means of physical or psychological force, intimidation or persecution, in an intimate relationship. Sexual coercion refers to all activity or behavior developed in
order to defeat the other person resistance to engage in an undesired sexual act.

Method: This study identified abusive behaviors among a sample of 302 Puerto
Rican gay males. We used a self-administered questionnaire, which addressed
general issues on domestic violence with a specific scale addressing sexual coercion. We did statistical analysis using correlations, regressions, and factor analyses. Emphasis was directed toward behaviors identified as sexual coercion and
their possible connection to high-risk behavior for HIV infection.
Results: Forty seven percent (47%) reported having a main or steady partner.
Forty seven percent (47%) reported experiences of domestic violence and twenty
seven percent (27%) acknowledged that they have experienced sexual violence.
We found a positive correlation between being anally penetrated without a condom, the need of please the partner, and being HIV positive.
Conclusions: Sexual coercion is a manifestation of power that is not exclusive
to heterosexual relationships. The social construction of masculinity and men's
sexualities implies that sexual favors are their prerogative. The manner in which
violence is constructed and perceived in men may be related to vulnerability for
HIV infection.
Presenting author: Jose Toro-Alfonso, PO Box 23174, San Juan, Puerto Rico,
931, Puerto Rico, Tel.: [phone] x-3545, Fax: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]
ThPeE7783 Gender-related aspects of HIV/AIDS stigma and
disclosure
J. Pulerwitz1, R. Stewart2, E. Esu-Williams3. 1Horizons Program/PATH,
Washington, DC, United States; 2DRA-Development, Washington, DC, United
States; 3Horizons Program/Population Council, Johannesburg, South Africa
Background: HIV/AIDS-related stigma and disclosure can manifest and impact
men and women differently As part of a larger project to improve HIV services and
decrease stigma for workers of a South African power company, and members of
their households, differences in perceptions and experiences were explored.
Methods: A survey addressing utilization of HIV services, HIV risk, disclosure,
and stigma was administered to a census sample of 379 male workers and 351
of their female household members. The response rate for workers was 69% and
for household members was 93%.
Results: Both men (58%) and women (50%) agreed that if a member of their family had HIV/AIDS, they "would want it to remain a secret." A minority of both men
and women expressed stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS,
such as discomfort with shaking hands of PLHA, eating from the same plate, or
sharing work tools. But, men were significantly more likely to express stigmatizing
attitudes than women (p < 0.05). Women (58%) were significantly more likely than
men (37%) to agree that women with HIV were treated worse than men with HIV.
And, women were also more likely than men to believe that if they disclosed an
HIV positive status to their sexual partner, they would be abandoned (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Both men and women have concerns about disclosing to those
outside the family, but women have more fears of stigma and discrimination were
they to be HIV positive than men do. In fact, men express more stigmatizing attitudes than do women. Interventions must be responsive to women's perception
and their experience of additional stigma and discrimination.
Presenting author: Rachel Kaufman, 4301 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 280,
Washington, DC, 20008, United States, E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeE7784 Migration, gender and HIV/AIDS in Central America
and Mexico
M. Caballero, A. Dreser, R. Leyva, C. Rueda, M. Bronfman. Instituto Nacional de
Salud Pdblica, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
Background: An estimated 2.5 million people migrate to the United States every
year, 25% of which are women. Among the undocumented migrant women, approximately 60% have some type of sexual experience during their journey, this
includes rape victims, sexual harassment and open partnerships. The objective
of this study is to analyze the context of HIV/AIDS vulnerability among migrant
women from Central America to Mexico and the United States.
Methods: This is a multi-centric study carried out in eleven border stations in
Mexico and Central America during 2001. Key informers, organizations, and mobile and migrant populations were interviewed, with special focus on undocumented migrant women.
Results: The risk situations for HIV transmission appears related to the different contexts and interactions during the journey. The migrant woman is seen as
someone who is interested in and therefore open to having sexual relations. During the process of migration, support networks (guides, other migrants and the
local population), at times tend to favor sexual activity rather than protect against
it. Also, migrant women can become victims of rape and harassment. Sexual relations as a form of survival in some cases may become in commercial sex work.
Conclusions: The context of vulnerability defines risk situations and practices
which favor further spreading of HIV/AIDS, especially among women. In these instances, undocumented migrant women represent a highly vulnerable population

group based on their gender and their migrant and legal status, which have yet to
be prioritized in local and regional organizations.
Presenting author: Marta Caballero, Avenida Universidad 655, Colonia Santa
Maria Ahuacatitlan, Cuernavaca, Morelos, CP 62508, Mexico, Tel.: [phone]
01 11 ext. 5974, 2655, Fax: [phone], E-mail: mcaballero@correo.
insp.mx