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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts ThPeE7886-ThPeE7889 559

analysed and institutional responses to the HIV pandemic are investigated in order to highlight the underlying reasons for the increased risk of contracting HIV.
Comparisons are drawn between military and civilian populations and between
different national forces.
Results: Levels of peacetime military sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are
reportedly two to five times higher than civilian rates, this increases exponentially
during wartime. STIs are useful markers of potential exposure to HIV as they are
co-factors for infection, indicate unprotected sex and are easier to detect. SubSaharan Africa has been highlighted as an area of particular concern, with some
reports of military HIV-infection rates of 60%, and even 90% in one unit in South
Africa in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Current data, though, are scant and contradictory. However, age, long tours of duty, a risk taking ethos, disposable income,
alcohol abuse and the local circumstances in areas of deployment are key factors
increasing the risk of HIV infection within the armed forces. Military attitudes to
testing diverge, concerned with issues of confidentiality, informed consent and the
deployment in the field of those found to be HIV-positive. Nevertheless, the armed
forces tend to rely on testing, often with counselling, as the primary response and
have not invested significantly in behavioural surveys in order to design and evaluate interventions and to monitor trends.
Conclusions: The structure of military institutions and the nature of their work
can be aggravating factors in the risk of personnel contracting HIV. At the same
time, however, the armed forces could make better use of the logistics at their
disposal to carry out behavioural studies that would assist their long-term approaches.
Presenting author: Roxanneh Bazergan, 33 Dalmeny road, London, N7 ODX,
United Kingdom, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
roxannebazergan @ aol.com
ThPeE7886 HIV and the world's armed forces
M.M.R. Foreman1, T. Scalway2, C. Kalume3. 1Healthlink Worldwide/Panos
Institute, C/O CHRISTINE KALUME, HEALTHLINK WORLDWIDE, 40 ADLER
STREET, LONDON El, United Kingdom; 2 Panos Institute, London, United
Kingdom; 3Healthlink Worldwide, London, United Kingdom
Issues: High rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections are common
among the armed forces in many countries, with serious implications for both
the military and their sexual partners. In peacetime, soldiers - who are usually
young men - have high rates of partner change. In times of war, widespread rape
may be an instrument of repression. Peacekeeping forces have been accused of
spreading HIV and other infections to the civilian population.
Description: Together with partners in South Asia, East and West Africa and the
Americas, prevention information and care facilities available to soldiers within
State and insurgent forces and the needs of those working with them have been
assessed. These consultations have led to the development of "HIV /AIDS and
the World's Armed Forces", an accessible and authoritative report on these issues to be released in Barcelona, July 2002.
Lessons Learned: HIV/AIDS is a significant threat to soldiers and their partners.
Conflict frequently leads to increases in HIV transmission rates, while sensitivities around the deployment of peacekeeping forces can obscure the realities of
transmission. Open dialogue and debate among armed forces, civil society and
governments on the relationship between armed conflict and HIV is a prerequisite
to effective prevention and care programming.
Recommendations: The research recommends peacekeeping forces, UN agencies, governments, medical agencies and local civil society groups develop localised intervention frameworks to protect soldiers and their sexual partners from
HIV/AIDS. Further recommendations are listed in the full report.
Presenting author: MARTIN FOREMAN, C/O CHRISTINE KALUME, HEALTHLINK WORLDWIDE, 40 ADLER STREET, LONDON El, United Kingdom, Tel.:
[phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeE7887 Knowledge of HIV/AIDS among mobile population
M.R. Nguyen Duc Thang. Researcher, The center for public health and
development (CEPHAD), 68, Thuy Khue Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi City,
Vietnam
HIV/AIDS infection have been becoming serious health problem in Viet Nam, the
main transmission of HIV/AIDS is through unsafety in drug using (65%) and sexuality. They formulate high-risk groups of drug users, mobile construction workers
and long distant drivers who immigrate from rural to urban area. Most of them are
young men and at the age of sexual active, they become high-risk of HIV/AIDS
infection and contribute to transmit HIV to others
In this research we have interviewed 300 men who were mobile construction
workers, aged from 16 to 40 and were staying in Ha Noi
Our objective was to assess knowledge of men who are mobile construction workers living in Hanoi city on threat and effect of HIV transmission. We also study on
safety behaviors among these targets and encourage positive attitude for HIV

prevention activities
Methodology: Quantitative research by interview base on questionnaire, including 300 people
Results: On personal specifics of targets: 38% in aged from 20 to 25; 24,6% at
primary education level, 73,4% at secondary education level and beyond. Most of
them are married: 95%. Review from 20 questions on HIV/AIDS showed out that:
68,3% people who have accurate awareness on HIV prevention, 85,7% think they

have no risk infected HIV. When asking the reason why they think themselves not
vulnerable to HIV, 24,7% said that they do not have sex, 54,7% said that have
only one partner, 48,3% said that they use condom, 46% said that they do not
use drug
Discussion: sexual life of mobile construction workers is rather various, they accept all types of partner. Though they have a certain knowledge on HIV/AIDS,
in fact of their sexual life they only care whilst having sex with commercial sexworkers without care with regular and irregular partners
One problem need to be considered is that percentage of people over drunk of
wine and drug injection among mobile workers is very high. This can create conditions for HIV to transmit to the community
Presenting author: Thang Nguyen Duc, The center for public health and development (CEPHAD), 68, Thuy Khue Street, Tay Ho District, Hanoi City, Vietnam,
Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeE7888 Cultural and social responses to HIV testing: an
anthropological study of narratives, discourses
and practices among HIV+ people in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil
C.G.O. Do Valle. Dept. of Cultural Anthropology, Federal University of Rio de
Janeiro, IFCS/UFRJ., Rua Luiz Guimardes, 83, apt 103, Rio de Janeiro, CEP
20560-150, Brazil
Background: HIV testing can be seen as a crucial event in the process of identity
formation and personal change for people affected by AIDS. Therefore I investigated how the process of being HIV tested were understood and constructed by
narrative forms, which expressed a range of suspicions and expectations about
life. The different ways and strategies by which people deal with this process were
examined.
Methods: a) in-depth interviews (30 informants - 21 HIV+ men and 9 HIV+
women); b) participant observation. Fieldwork was conducted in a public, anonymous HIV testing clinic in Rio de Janeiro.
Results: Asked how they knew their HIV+ status, informants reported through a
range of accounts and narratives which described the period before and after the
HIV exam. They were both HIV+ clients from a public hospital or HIV+ volunteers
from a AIDS NGO. These narratives and accounts presented particularities in
terms of gender, such as a higher concern among women over HIV transmission
in the family. But men, whether heterosexual or not, also showed concern over
the implications of HIV risk to their partners and their actual HIV serologic status.
These specificities were presented within a structured narrative framework that
seemed to be widely present.
Conclusions: I examined HIV testing discourses and practices as an important
feature in a complex mediation between different forms of cultural understandings
in the wider society and particular forms of knowledge on AIDS, including scientific vocabulary, clinical perspectives on the body and sexuality and techniques of
HIV prevention. This social mediation proceeds by the incorporation of codified
knowledge on HIV/AIDS. While examining HIV testing narratives and accounts,
it is possible to assert that there is an intricate interaction between knowledge
and the cultural construction of emotions, such as anger or fear, which may elucidate differences in the ways in which HIV/AIDS can be generally perceived and
understood.
Presenting author: Carlos Do Valle, Rua Luiz Guimar.es, 83, apt. 103, Rio de
Janeiro, CEP 20560-150, Brazil, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone],
E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeE7889I Predictors of high-risk sexual behavior among
people living with HIVIAIDS in Las Vegas, Nevada
J.L. Cade1, T Reilly2, L. Smith2, G. Woo3. 1University of Nevada School of
Medicine, 1923 Capistrano Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109-2281, United
States; 2University of Nevada Las Vegas, School of Social Work, Las Vegas,
United States; 3Nevada AIDS Research and Education Society Las Vegas,
United States
Background: Recent studies show that a significant number of HIV+ individuals
continue to engage in unsafe sexual practices. Investigations were initiated to explore the correlates of high-risk sex among two samples of HIV+ adults recruited
from outpatient medical care facilities in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Methods: Participants included 360 HIV+ adults (292 men and 68 women) receiving outpatient medical care for HIV/AIDS-related issues from a public clinic
(n=197) and a private clinic (n=163) in Las Vegas. This initial group of 360 HIV+
adults received a standardized survey instrument consisting of questions about
demographics, sexual behaviors, substance use and psychosocial factors. A subsequent group of 120 HIV+ adults recruited from the same patient population
received in-depth interviews on the same variables.
Results: The studies showed that 34% of the survey group and 28% of the interview group reported at least 1 occasion of unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse

in the previous 6 months. Consistent with other research, there were multiple correlates of high-risk sex including multiple sexual partners, negative attitudes about
condoms, lack of risk avoidance strategies, and recreational and intravenous drug
use prior to sex. However, contrary to other research, no association was found
between low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, receipt of skill-based training
or use of alcohol with unprotected sex. Conclusion: Although there were some
gender and ethnic differences, neither gender or ethnicity moderated any signif