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

572 Abstracts ThOrF1464-ThOrFl474

XIV International AIDS Conference

ThOrF 464 Symbolic aspects of condoms and preventive
practices as related to the social construction of
masculinity
L. Botello Lonngi. Fundaci0n Mexicana para la Planeacibn Familiar (MEXFAM),
Mexfam, Juarez 208, Tlalpan 14000, Mexico City, Mexico
Issues: Masculinity, condoms, services for youth, prevention
Description: The current work is the result of an investigation exploring psychosocial elements that make up masculinity in young men, with the goal of understanding to what point masculinity, as a social construction, is an impediment
to HIV/AIDS prevention. Without losing sight of other important related aspects,
the emphasis here is on whether or not being a "man" within a specific context,
makes prevention more difficult.
This is a qualitative investigation carried out with young men between 15 and
19 years old in public and private schools in Mexico. Life histories and in-depth
interviews were conducted.
The results of this investigation have helped to reshape the model of community services, including clinical services, for young people in the 28 states where
Mexfam has centers of operation.
Lessons learned: The construction of masculinity has an important influence on
the different meanings attached to the condom, which directly impacts the safer
sex practices of young people. In fact, the very notion of prevention is influenced
by the construction of gender. Within the specific context of Mexico, the problem
of alcoholism among men interferes in taking preventive measures and is closely
related to the idea of the "real man" that circulates in society.
Recommendations: Models of community intervention and clinical services
need to be redesigned to systematically include a gender perspective, especially
masculinity, in IEC (information, education and communication) activities. Medical
services that are especially for young people, like those known as youth-friendly
services, should take into account the analysis of masculinity to plan their activities. It is necessary to consider the hegemony of masculinity as an obstacle in
the prevention of HIV/AIDS in youth.
Presenting author: Luis Botello Lonngi, Mexfam, Juarez 208, Tlalpan 14000,
Mexico CityMeexico, Tel.: [phone] ext 125, Fax: +52 - 55-5573-7100
ext 140, E-mail: [email protected]
ThOrF1465 Best practices in STI-prevention for women in
Europe
M.A. de Schutter1, L.P.M. van Mens1, I. Garcfa-Sinchez2, S. Pinz6n-Pulido2.
1 Stichting soa-bestrijding, postbus 8198, 3503RD, Utrecht, The Netherlands;
2Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pdblica, Granada, Spain
Issues: Women are increasingly at risk of contracting
fT.. 0 HIV and other STI's. In Europe, relatively little attention
P has been given to gender-specific prevention strate-"A gies.
P VASNO O Description: The project Women's Network PHASE
Inj Iv IV, s,4 (Prevention of HIV, AIDS and STI's in Europe) aims at
N u R 0o PE the dissemination of information, the creation of a European network and the development of gender-sensitive
strategies on STI and HIV/AIDS prevention.
In 2001, fieldwork was carried out in Austria, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the
Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The objective
was to know the state of the art regarding women and STI's, and to identify and
learn lessons from best practices for effective prevention of HIV/AIDS and other
STI's among women of the general population.
Lessons learned: The inventory of best practices led to the identification of common characteristics that determine the success or failure of prevention strategies targeting women. These effective prevention strategies include a comprehensive approach towards women's health that starts from a positive perception
of women's sexuality and the strengthening of women's capacities to make decisions about their sexual and reproductive lives.
Recommendation: Improvements in epidemiological data monitoring, research,
education, prevention policies and social and health care are urgently needed.
Reflection on the social and cultural role of women, on sexual behaviour and on
gender violence is a priority. Based on the lessons learned from the field work, in
2002 the participating countries will develop and implement pilot projects that target at the further refinement of those prevention strategies that can be defined as
"best practices". Possible target groups include young women, migrant women,
pregnant women, women living with chronic STI's and middle-aged women.
Presenting author: Martine de Schutter, postbus 8198, 3503RD, Utrecht, The
Netherlands, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThOrF1466 Eritrea: conflict, sexual violence and HIV: support
to victims and communities

J.M.E. Gruber1, T Tekle2, RP. Gottlieb3, S. Higo4, T Aradom3. 1Liverpool School
of Tropical Medicine, HIV/AIDS + STI Knowledge Programme, Liverpool, United
Kingdom; 2 Citizens for Peace in Eritrea, Asmara, Eritrea; 3c/o Citizens for Peace
in Eritrea, Asmara, Eritrea; 4Halo Trust, Asmara, Eritrea
Issues: Sexual violence as a weapon of war and displacement is a major factor
in HIV infection. With up to 60 million refugees and IDPs world wide, addressing

this issue is essential. Assistance is hugely challenging during conflict; victims
can be stigmatised post-conflict and HIV implications are all too often ignored.
Description: In May 2000 the Ethiopian military occupied the Eritrean town of
Senafe. Most inhabitants were Muslim Saho. The ICRC gained access to the
trapped population of 45,000 in September 2000. 20,000 were women and girls
aged 12-45: ca. 5,000 had experienced sexual violence. In response to pleas
from Saho elders, the NGO Citizens for Peace in Eritrea implemented a women's
health care and preliminary counselling project in Zula IDP camp. An integrated
service (for all women in the area) was chosen to minimise victim identification.
Despite those initial pleas, working through traditional authorities and trying to
avoid stigmatisation, there was antipathy from many men and some women.
Lessons learned: Victims face a harsh choice between identification and denial.
The first enables access to health care; the second allows social acceptance and
economic worth as brides, wives and mothers, but at a risk to health. Denial may
be absolute, even after community advocacy, IEC and sensitisation. Traditional
authority can be over-ruled. An integrated approach aids anonymity, but male
ambivalence can lead to rejection of services.
Recommendations: Needs' assessments must recognise that denial of sexual
violence skews findings. Sensitive research is essential; questionnaires are inappropriate.
Post-conflict support must consider both traditional and evolving structures of
community authority and their impact on gender issues, implementation, sustainability and scaling-up.
Imported psycho-social approaches may be counter-productive.
Attention to male sexual health and psycho-social needs is important.
Presenting author: Janet Gruber, HIV/AIDS + STI Knowledge Programme, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, United
Kingdom, Tel.: + 44 151 705 3247, Fax: + 44 151 707 9193, E-mail: asmara.janet
@virgin.net
ThOrF1473 The honey bee show
S. Janyam, T. Phunsiriluk, S. Sriphen. EMPOWER Foundation, EMPOWER
Foundation, PO. Box 1065, Silom Post Office, Bangkok, 10504, Thailand
Issues: Sex workers living in Bangkok found they needed a non-threatening
way to educate their clients, peers and the community about the importance of
HIV/AIDS prevention through condom use. Because the women often work with
international clients who speak many languages, it was imperative that they develop a way to communicate with a diverse audience without using spoken language.
Descriptions: The EMPOWER Foundation is a non-governmental orgainzation
that supports women working in the sex and entertainment industry in Thailand.
EMPOWER provides education to sex workers about the importance of HIV/AIDS
prevention. The women of EMPOWER created the Honey Bee Show to share
what they had learned with their peers and clients.
The Honey Bee Show consists of two twenty-minute skits (performed together or
individually), and it emphasizes HIV/AIDS prevention through condom use. During the show, no spoken language is used. Instead, actors use creative costumes
and humorous body language. Additionally, the show requires no stage and few
props. It can be performed anywhere, which means that its message is accessible
to the entire community The Honey Bees appear all over Bangkok-in the street,
in go-go bars and on public transportation.
Lessons learned: The women have learned that the effectiveness of the Honey
Bee Show lies in three areas:
1. It doesn't rely on spoken language, so it is informative and appealing to all
people.
2.The use of humor captures and holds the attention of the audience and presents
a serious issue in a manner that is not preachy.
3. The portability of the show means that it can be performed anywhere.
Recommendations: The Honey Bees plan to continue their work in and around
Bangkok. In addition, they hope to expand their program to include other key
areas throughout Thailand. This approach is highly recommended for locations
where language or literacy is an issue.
Presenting author: Surang Janyam, EMPOWER Foundation, P.O. Box 1065,
Silom Post Office, Bangkok, 10504, Thailand, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThOrF1474 Behavioral intervention for STD/AIDS risk
reduction, among population affected by armed
conflict in Colombia
R. Garcia Bernal1, V. Negrete2, A. Romero1, N.E. Rosas1. 1UNAIDS, Carrera 7
No. 74-21 Piso 9, Colombia; 2Fundacion del Sinu, Monteria, Colombia
Issues: Since more than twenty years ago, Colombia is experiencing an internal
political driven war, aggravated during the last decade by narcotraffic and paramilitary - related violence. More than 1.500.000 population have been forced to leave

their towns and farms, and are currently surviving in extremely poor conditions, in
districts or camps located nearby urban areas. It is assumed that life conditions
of displaced population increase the risk of acquiring STD, including AIDS.
Description: A peer-education based risk-reduction behavioral intervention, was
implemented in selected districts of the capital city of a region strongly affected by
guerrilla and paramilitary - related violence. Initially, 45 youngsters aged between
12 to 23 yrs. were trained in an interactive two-days workshop. Subsequently,