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

586 Abstracts ThPeF7978-ThPeF7982

XIV International AIDS Conference

Description: Humana People to People's program Total Control of the Epidemic
systematically places 50 Field Officers to cover areas of 100.000 people, each
Field Officer responsible for a field of 2.000 people. His task is to have one to one
talks to the people on a daily basis for 3 years.
The Field Officer is under constant education by Humana People to People. The
first education taken is counseling. The Field Officers offer counseling to people
on risk assessment and risk reduction and they educate on the advantages of
HIV testing. The people are referred to the nearest VCT for testing. Those who
can not afford or who do not wish to get tested are advised to live as if they are
HIV positive. This ensures the highest level of alert and actions taken to avoid
infection and further spread of HIV. The Field Officer also provides people with
on-going counseling.
Lessons learned: The Field Officers as lay counselors has proved to be very
effective, and their services are appreciated by the community. The counseling
of people in their homes has lead to increased use of condoms and of VCT and
PMTCT services.
Recommendations: That the Field Officer be educated and equipped with the
neccessary skills to take HIV tests using rapid test kits. They can provide the service close to people's homes; at the local clinic or at a house available for the
purpose. It is an effective way of reaching all the rural people with testing at an
affordable cost, under supervision by national VCT services.
Presenting author: Kilford Zimondi, Suite 245 P/Bag 00149, Postnet Main Mall
Gaborone, Botswana, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeF7978 Faces, places, phases: An innovative approach to
emphatic journalism
N.B. Melgar, D.L. Garcia, MD, J. Dela Cruz, O.T. Monzon, MD, C.L. Calica, MD.
Aids Society of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines
Background: Much has been discussed about HIV/AIDS in the Philippines since
1983 and yet some media practitioners are still insensitive in discussing general
issues on HIV/AIDS.
Issues:
- Lack of sensitivity in HIV/AIDS reporting among media practitioners resulting to
stigma and discrimination of PLWHA
- Lack of hands-on information about PLWHA
- Decline of interest among media practitioners towards HIV/AIDS
- Increase in the number of HIV/AIDS cases in the Philippines
Description: This paper will present an innovative integrated approach of an exposure trip program organized by the AIDS Society of the Philippines for winners
of the AIDS Media Awards contest. Aside from the usual conference sessions and
forum at the 5th International Conference on Home and Community Care for People Living with HIV/AIDS held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, media practitioners were
also immersed in empowering trips and actual visits to institutions, homes, and
communities with AIDS prevention program. The experience includes an evaluation of the exposure program.
Lessons learned: The inclusion of exposure trips coupled with empowering visits to inputs gathered from seminars and forum enables media practitioners to
be more sensitive and responsive to the needs of PLWHA when writing stories
about HIV/AIDS thus reducing the stigma and discrimination of PLWHA. Also,
the AIDS Media Awards attracts more media practitioners in HIV/AIDS prevention
advocacy.
Recommendations: (1) That the exposure trips and empowering visits be sustained for greater awareness and sensitivity of media practitioners; (2) That AIDS
Media Awards be continued to attract media practitioners toward disseminating
correct and accurate information about HIV/AIDS resulting to behavior change.
Presenting author: Nicodemus Melgar, 2181 G. Tuazon St., Sampaloc, Manila,
Philippines, Philippines, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: niknikmel
@yahoo.com
ThPeF7979 Development of training manual for community
mobilization
I. Hassan. SHISUK, 7/1 block -a, lalmatia, dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
Issues: Participatory approach to develop information and education campaign
manual for community mobilization to reduce stigma and discrimination for Migration and HIV/AIDS.
Description: With five years experience in community intervention SHISUKCARAM Bangladesh has developed a training manuals for community mobilization on HIV/AIDS and Migration to scale up the program for wider coverage with
the assistance of ILO Bangladesh. The manual has developed through involving
different stakeholders in the community.
The key focus is to train community volunteers and to sensitize different community stakeholders for HIV prevention and to develop a supportive environment
for PLWAs in the community. The manual also addressed the different aspect of

migration to reduce the discrimination that " migrant workers are the importers of
HIV in the country".
Lessons learned: The involvement of community in developing the manuals provided a whole new range of perspectives.
Recommendations: To develop resource materials for effective intervention program participation of related stakeholders is imperative.

Presenting author: imam hassan, 7/1 block-a, lalmatia, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeF7980 Who can I tell? Multi-level serostatus disclosure in
urban poor families impacted by HIV/AIDS
T. Reeves. Gay Men's Health Crisis, Gay Men's Health Crisis, 119 West 24th
Street, New York, NY 10011, United States
Issues: The impact of "the secret" of HIV status in complex family structures has
not been adequately addressed. Multi-level serostatus disclosure in families is a
phenomenom that needs attention.
Description: The Child Life Program works with 450 families from poor urban
settings. HIV disclosure has changed dramatically in treatment rich environments
for two reasons: 1) women are living longer and 2) the successful reduction of
mother to child transmission. This paper will discuss new challenges faced by
families around HIV disclosure.
Lessons learned: Because of stigma around disclosure, HIV positive parents
are forced to choose which children can keep "the secret" in the family and/or
community This has resulted in multi-level serostatus disclosure in families.
Recommendations: Parents require intensive education and support around the
consequences of multi-level serostatus disclosure. Equally critical, families need
post disclosure support to normalize the experience of HIV in the family.
Presenting author: Talata Reeves, Gay Men's Health Crisis, 119 West 24th
Street, New York, NY 10011, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: +1 212
367 1050, E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeF7981I Applying alternative media in reducing stigma and
discrimination among PLWHA
M.M. Francisco, D.L. Garcia, OT. Monzon, C.L. Calica, J.R. Dela Cruz,
S.B. Edris. AIDS Society of the Philippines, Makati City, Philippines
Issues: Entertainment and art can be an alternative form of conveying HIV/AIDS
messages to the general public. Cartoon Illustrations can send serious message
in a humorous way. HIV/AIDS messages can be transmitted in seconds what
would take minutes to read and understand through this medium. Thus, raise
awareness and reduce stigmatization and discrimination in the general public.
Description: The cartoon is the most immediate form of humor communication.
In observance of the World AIDS Day 2000 "Men can make a difference", the
AIDS Society of the Philippines invited the Samahang Kartoonista ng Pilipinas
(Cartoonists Association of the Philippines) to mount an exhibit of 40 cartoon illustrations in a crowded mall area in Metropolis. The illustrations presented varied
HIV/AIDS messages depicting the theme. To gauge the impact of the exhibit, selfadministered questionnaires on Basic HIV/AIDS were distributed to the general
viewing public. A total of 290 respondents answered the questionnaire. Majority
are female with age ranging from 14-40 years old, average age group of 15-17.
More than half (56.1%) of the respondent answered the questions correctly Only
38.96% knew what AIDS stands for while more than 60% chose the right reply
to questions pertaining to mode of transmission and prevention. Less than 15%
refused to answer some of the questions given.
Lessons learned: The evaluation tool utilized showed that cartoon illustration
succeeds in transmitting an idea to people from all walks of life. Although, some
of the illustrations highlighted the issue of discrimination and stigmatization, it
demonstrated that it is possible to treat lightly a serious subject.
Presenting author: Ma. Eloisa Francisco, 1162 Antipolo Street, Rizal Village,
Makati City 1200, Philippines, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
aidsphil@ pacific.net.ph
ThPeF7982 Attitudes and HIV/AIDS stigma in positive living
A.S. Adams, S.N. Lubanga, M.B. Mercy, M.A. Awuor. TAPWAK, Po. box 30583,
00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Issues: and description: Roles of PLWHA'S for any person to perform well in any
endeavour, there must be concrete knowledge based on cause, vision, mission,
commitment and action. As a group of PLWHA our role in community is vital due
to being the people who are affected and infected, we know the problem in-depth
and live in it, understand each step of the HIV through the painful suffering of the
signs and symptoms, and tackling it tolerantly and carefully. Due to our participation we create a suitable environment for the effected and infected families, thus
fighting stigma. we carry out preventive campaigns in order to save the younger
generation, and learn more on how to live positively.
Lessons learned: 1. Learned more knowledge on HIV/AIDS.
2. Protection and how to live longer.
3. Politicians no longer despise us but also encourage and support us when possible.
4. The world is looking at us as a people and a nation where our voices are heard.

5. This reflects how serious the problem is.
6. Lobbing for the reduced Prices of ARV's drugs
Recommendations: Let all those affected and infected come out fight together
to achieve a common goal united we stand divided we fall.
Presenting author: Amina Shida Adams, PRo. box 30583, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya,
Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]