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

538 Abstracts ThPeE7790-ThPeE7794

XIV International AIDS Conference

ships with older men and that social and cultural factors reinforce such unions.
Emotional benefits included increased levels of maturity, love/intimacy, support,
and respect from older men. Tangible benefits were related to direct and anticipated economic advantages, such as receiving gifts, being taken on expensive
dates, perceiving a potential for escape from current life situations, and perceiving a potential for financial provisions for current family. Social and cultural factors
supporting sexual relationships with older men included family support of older
partners, community status associated with older partners, and cultural norms
supporting older partners.
Conclusions: For female adolescents living in low-income urban environments,
sexual relationships with older men have multiple perceived and actual benefits and may be reinforced by families and communities, despite the increased
HIV risk associated with such relationships. The advanced age and economic resources/potential possessed by older men, along with gender-related social privileges often experienced by males in many societies, create a power differential
that places a female adolescent at a disadvantage for protecting herself from HIV
infection when engaged in a sexual relationship with an older man.
Presenting author: Gary Harper, DePaul University, Department of Psychology,
2219 N. Kenmore Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60614, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeE7790 A sexual behavior survey among male and female
textile factory workers in Tirupur, India
21
S. Reza-Paul1, V. Mangaimalar2, S. Mukherjee, S. Kristensen',
S.H. Vermund1. 1 University of Alabama at Birmingham, c/o Mr. Sudhamoy Paul,
College Road, PO. Agartala College, Agartala, 799004, United States; 2Society
for AIDS Awareness and Prevention, Tirupur, India
Background: In Tamil Nadu, India, the epidemic is moving towards the general
population. More women are getting infected with HIV and there are many factors
that predispose them to risk even if they are economically independent.
Methods: A survey using structured questionnaire was conducted among male
and female textile factory workers (19-45 years) in Tirupur, India. 20 factories
were selected using stratified sampling method. A probability sample of 400 (240
women and 160 men) was selected.
Results: Preliminary results show that women and men have reasonable good
knowledge regarding HIV prevention. 76% females and 72% males had a regular
partner. 23% females and 56% males reported sex with a casual partner. 44%
of females reported coerced sex in their workplace. 54% perceived workplace
sexual coercion to be common. Self-efficacy for condom use was very low. 80%
claimed that their partners were primary decision makers in the relationship and
the main reason for not using condom was partners' dislike. Men predominantly
(71%) responded that they should decide on condom use. 65% of men stated
should neither initiate sex nor a dialogue on condom use. 58% thought that only
bad women carry condoms. Condom use with casual (8%) and regular partners
(5%) was reported to be low. 50% of the men responded that it was common for
females to have sex with supervisors. Men held a low opinion about their female
colleagues' and majority did not think that they are worthy of respect
Conclusions: Economic empowerment does not necessarily make women
stronger in sexual negotiation. Working women's social condition in Tamil Nadu
does not support safer sex dialogue Skill building for making choices are essential. Men have the control but do not take responsibility. Workplace intervention
with a focus on male responsibility is imperative. Policy to free the workplace from
sexual coercion is needed.
Presenting author: Sushena Reza-Paul, c/o Mr. Sudhamoy Paul, College Road,
P.O. Agartala College, Agartala, 799004, India, Tel.: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]
ThPeE7791I Functional impairment and quality of life of
persons living with HIV/AIDS
B. Mumelter1, G. Kemmler2, A. Shetty-Lee3, B. Schmied4, R. Zangerle3,
G. SchOl~lerI. 1 Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy
University Hospital, Sonnenburgstr 9, A - 6020 lnnsbruck, Ausfria, Europe,
Austria; 2Department of Psychiatry University Hospital/nnsbruck, Austria;
3Department of Dermatology and Venerology HIV/AIDS Unit, University
Hospital lnnsbruck, Austria; 4Department of Internal Medicine//I, HI V/AIDS Unit,
Otto Wagner Hospital, Vienna, Austria
Background: Due to the current lack of information on this topic in Austria, we
investigated psychosocial aspects of patients with HIV-infection, particularly functional impairment and quality of life.
Methods: A total of 207 patients (118 males, 89 females; mean age 37.8+/-9.5
years) contacting the local HIV/AIDS outpatient unit were investigated using the
recently developed World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule
II (WHO-DAS II) and the Multidimensional Quality of Life Questionnaire (MOoLHIV). Non-parametric correlation as well as linear and logistic regression were

used for statistical analysis.
Results: As to functional impairment (WHO-DAS II), patients showed moderate
deficits in cognitive functions and in the ability to perform routine activities in their
daily lives. More severe deficits were found in the ability to participate in social
activities (41% with an impairment score of >25 on a 0-100 scale). Quality of
life (MQoL-HIV) was most markedly reduced in the areas of sexual functioning
(mean 58.5 on a 0-100 scale) and mental health(mean 63.7). Correlation analy
ses revealed a significant effect of relevant clinical indicators (negative effect of
low CD4, high viral load, drug abuse) and sociodemographic variables (positive
effect of existing partnership, work, higher income) on both functional impairment
and quality of life; most of these variables also correlated with patients adherence
to attending scheduled appointments at the hospital.
Conclusions: Psychosocial factors were shown to be highly influential in the
areas of functional impairment and quality of life for patients with HIV-infection.
Gender differences were surprisingly low for all variables considered.
Presenting author: Birgit Mumelter, Sonnenburgstr. 9, A - 6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Europe, Austria, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: csabl1323
@ uibk.ac.at
ThPeE7792 Predicting depression among Latinas in the United
States
B.R. DeForgel, N. Peragallol, P. O'Campo2, S.M. Lee', S. Lirtmunlikaporn'.
1 University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States; 2Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore MD, United States
Background: To assess the relationship between demographics, acculturation,
domestic violence, self-esteem, and satisfaction with relationships with partners
on depression among Latinas of childbearing age.
Methodology: Baseline interview data from 657 sexually active Mexican and
Puerto Rican women, aged 18-44, recruited to be participants in a randomized
evaluation of a culturally tailored HIV risk intervention in Chicago. Data collected
included: demographics (years of school, ethnicity, marital status, income, employment status), Hispanic and Non-Hispanic acculturation, relationship with partner (number of sexual partner in the last 3 months and relationship with partner),
domestic violence (partner), self-esteem (Rosenberg) and depressive symptoms
(CES-D).
Results: Over half (54%) of the women had clinically significant depressive symptoms (CESD > 16, mean = 19, SD = 12). Women who had depressive symptoms were less satisfied with their relationships with their partners, had lower
self-esteem, and reported more partner aggression (nonphysical, physical, and
sexual). Also, they had less years of education, lower incomes, and were less
likely to be married. A multiple regression analysis indicated that women who
were Catholic, Puerto Rican, more acculturated to the Hispanic culture, more dissatisfied with their partner relationships, had more nonphysical aggression (domestic violence) and had lower self-esteem had more depressive symptoms (R=
0.649, R2 = 0.42, p<0.001).
Conclusion: The likelihood of having significant depressive symptoms involved
women who were more acculturated to the Hispanic culture, had more verbal aggression and less satisfaction in their relationships with their partners, and poorer
self-images. Especially vulnerable may be women who are Puerto Rican and
Catholic. Therefore, effective interventions for Latinas must be culturally tailored
and address their relationship with their partners (satisfaction and domestic violence).
Presenting author: Bruce DeForge, University of Maryland, School of Social
Work, 525 West Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: bdeforge @ ssw.umaryland.edu
ThPeE7793 Negotiating sexual intimacy and the possible risks
of HIV infection for seronegative partners in long
term gay male serodiscordant relationships
R. Palmer, T.J. Mc Manus, T Campbell. Newham General Hospital, London,
United Kingdom
Issues: Examining the difficulties HIV negative gay men experience in remaining
uninfected while maintaining a sexually healthy relationship with their HIV positive
partner.
Description: This paper explores new results of qualitative data analysis of ten
couples through detailed interviewing, alongside five year retrospective case-note
analysis of another twenty serodiscordant couples aftending a Central London
HIV unit. The researchers note the high number of recent HIV infections of previously negative tested men in serodiscordant relationships.
Lessons learnt: Even when couples are fully aware of their serodiscordancy,
many continue high-risk sexual behaviour in order to maintain the balance of their
relationship, and find change to sexual behaviour too complex to negotiate.
Recommendations: To challenge health professionals to consider interventions
both psychotherapeutically and through focused health promotion strategy. To
recognise, and work with the growing number of infections within long-term relationships.
Presenting author: Robert Palmer, The Greenway Centre, Newham General
Hospital, Glen Road, Plaistow, London. E13 8SL, United Kingdom, Tel.: +44 208
981 1120, Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]

ThPeE7794 Gender challenges in counselling for PTCT
C. Nsp, M. Varalakshmi, D. Sridher, B. Ragupathy, M. Jayarathnam, A. Kalaiselvi,
S. Nataraj. SIAAR 4, 1 st street, Kamaraj avenue, Adyar, Chennai, Tamilnadu
Background: With a population of 62 million, Tamil Nadu has about 1.2 million
live births every year. Recent studies show infection rates between 0.33% to 3