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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts ThPeF8058-ThPeF8062 603

graphic characteristics and recruitment site, mode of testing (HCTK) remained
significantly associated with getting the test results (OR= 1.7, p<.01). We were
able to confirm the receipt of results of n=121 (88%) of the HCTK and n=87 (78%)
of the TCT participants. Additionally, 64% of those who used HCTK stated they
preferred this method for future testing whereas 41% of those who used TCT
preferred the clinic-based method for future testing. Importantly, 44% of the TCT
group stated that they would prefer to use HCTK in future testing.
Conclusion: These data suggest that the use of HCTK among high-risk drug
users results in higher rates of receiving HIV-test results. The distinct preference
coupled with the higher-rates of return-for-results among the HCTK group suggest that this technology can play a role in increasing HIV-test acceptability and
completion rates among high-risk drug users.
Presenting author: rasanjali wickrema, 3535 market street, 4th floor, philadelphia, pa 19104, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [email protected]
ThPeF8058 HIV voluntary counselling and testing: Gateway to
prevention and care. Five case studies related to
prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV,
tuberculosis, young people and reaching general
population groups
C.N.N. Sozi1, J. Olsson2, N. Oberzaucher2. 1UNAIDS, Inter Country Team, East
and Southern Africa, P0. Box 6541, Pretoria, South Africa; 2UNAIDS, Geneva,
Switzerland
Introduction: Voluntary HIV testing (VCT) has become increasingly important in
prevention and care. VCT facilitates access to prevention services for seronegative people and is a key entry point to care and support services for persons
with HIV including reducing mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, preventing opportunistic infections and in reducing stigma and secrecy surrounding
HIV/AIDS.
Aim and description: Describe experiences and challenges of 5 programs
in sub-Saharan Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, with successful approaches to VCT in relation to PMTCT of HIV, tuberculosis, young people and
general population groups.
Findings: General principles for delivery of VCT services, confidential services,
voluntary attendance, non-discrimination of HIV positive people and access to
prevention, care and support services, were applicable to all sites. Cross-cutting
challenges include stigma and discrimination, and disclosure of HIV status to
partners and friends.
Other challenges related to VCT settings and management, testing strategies, target population, community outreach, training of personnel, post-test services, information, education and communication channels, partnerships, monitoring and
evaluation and funding are discussed.
Recommendations: Five different approaches to VCT delivery, targeting different populations and providing a range of services following testing are described.
VCT cannot be seen as a uniform intervention and needs to be flexible and adaptable to the needs of the people. One model will unlikely be suitable for all. Although there is widespread international support for rapid expansion of VCT as
a component of HIV prevention and to enable seropositive people to access care
including ARVs and PMTCT interventions, many challenges remain.
Presenting author: Catherine Sozi, RO. Box 6541, Pretoria, South Africa, Tel.:
[phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
I ThPeF8059 Voluntary counseling and testing programs in an
agricultural community in Rift Valley Province,
Kenya
L. Langat, W. Langat, A. Kirui, W. Odonde, F. Sawe, L. Elson. USAMRU-K, PO.
Box 1357, Kericho, Kenya
Issues: Employees of large-scale agricultural companies have a unique risk for
HIV infection. Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) is being promoted for its
reported potential to induce behavior change to prevent HIV transmission.
Description: Two large agricultural companies support an adult population of
40,000 employees and their dependants, belonging to four major tribes, living in
company housing and many of whom travel frequently to their homelands elsewhere in Kenya. The companies have their own hospital with laboratory services
and an extensive infrastructure of medical services. VCT has been set up in the
antenatal and outpatient clinics. VCT is being promoted with an extensive community education campaign using drama, presentations, video shows, PLWA personal testimonies, songs, question & answer sessions, a football team entering
the local league and fact sheet distribution. Meetings have been held within the
worker villages, factories, schools, hospital and churches.
Lessons Learned: Initially there were widespread misconceptions about HIV
and its transmission, but people were very keen to learn more. The management
was hesitant to introduce VOT for fear of reducing attendance to clinics and jeop
ardizing worker-management relations. Videos and PLWA personal testimonies
drew the largest crowds. Successive meetings in the same places have drawn
increasing numbers with increased community participation in discussion. Where
no demand and even negative pressure for HIV testing existed, now we have
43 counseling sessions/month, some pregnant women have received Nevirapine
and the demand for female condoms has gone from nil to 400/month.
Recommendations: VCT and PMTCT will be scaled up in future. We hope to es
tablish support groups and will train community and church leaders as educators
and counselors.
Presenting author: Lilian Langat, USAMRU-K, RO. Box 1357, Kericho, Kenya,
Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeF8060 Approaches to increasing condom use among male
migrant workers in Gujarat, India.
V.S. Marfatia, A. Ranganathan. sahas, 602, Surat, Gujarat, India
Issues: Presently, the most effective strategy to prevent STI/HIV infections is the
correct and consistent use of condoms. Our studies had shown that condom use
among male migrant diamond workers was affected by factors such as low awareness, negative attitude and problems of accessibility.
Description: This paper will discuss how condom use was promoted in the target
group. 30% of the men reported regular condom usage at base line. Outreach
education at work site and individual counselling sessions were under taken to
increase awareness, condom skills and motivation to use condoms. Simultaneaously, a positive attitude towards condom was developed by promoting various
brands. Earlier, condoms were only procurred from medical stores. Not traditional
outlets were identified and mobilised to sell condoms. Condom usage increased
to 55% in one year.
Lessons learned: Knowledge, skills, attitude and accessibility of condom can
play a critical role in the decision to practice safe sex.
Recommendation: This study recommends that multipronged strategies be used
to promote condom usage among target population.
Presenting author: Vibha Marfatia, 602, Aangan Vishala Apartment, Near Indoor Stadium, Ghod Dod Road, Surat, Gujarat, India, Tel.: [phone],
Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected].
ThPeF8061I An STI/AIDS prevention program for junior
professional football players in Campinas, Brazil
W.A. Silva1, V. Paiva2, C.M. Buchalla3, R. Stall4, N. Hearst4. 1Sao Paulo
Minicipal STD/AIDS Program/NEPAIDS-University of Sao Paulo/School Health
Public University of Sio Paulo, Rua Cel. Antonio Alvar, 379 - Vila Industrial,
13032-670 - Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil; 2NEPAIDS-University of Sao
Paulo/FSR Sao Paulo, Brazil; 3Univesity of Sao Paulo/School of Public Health,
Sao Paulo, Brazil; University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco,
United States
Issues: Young men are an especially important group for AIDS prevention. Football (soccer) in Brazil is the national sport and an organized activity with large
numbers of young male participants. We tested the feasibility of an AIDS prevention program in a junior professional football team.
Description: After obtaining the permission of team management and players, 25
players completed a baseline questionnaire and participated in an AIDS prevention program. We used participatory group methods based on popular education
(Freire, 1977) in 17 90-minute sessions. Themes discussed included sexuality,
gender, reproductive health, paternity, STI/AIDS, safe sex, drugs, and life goals.
All interactions (discussions, materials produced, informal conversations) were
recorded in field notes and submitted to content analysis.
Lessons learned: These youths (mean age 17.8), living in and from football,
have poor knowledge regarding sexuality and reproductive health. They are more
worried about pregnancy than STI or AIDS. They reported difficulty with consistent condom use, often related to type of partner, phase of the relationship,
and location. They were concerned about HIV transmission from casual contact,
especially from seropositive players on the field. Traditional ideas of masculinity reinforced by the culture of football, the dream of upward social mobility as a
professional player, and easy access to partners place these young men at high
vulnerability. The intervention was eagerly accepted with 90% participation. Players gave the program high evaluations, reporting they learned a lot and that it
caused them to revaluate their behavior.
Recommendation: Sports teams provide an important opportunity to provide information on STI/AIDS, sexuality and reproductive health to young people. Interventions in this setting can be welcomed, and knowledge and changes in behavior
in these athletes are likely to spread to many other young people.
Presenting author: Wilson Silva, Rua Cel. Antonio Alvar O, 379 - Vila Industrial,
13032-670 - Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tel.: [phone], Fax: +55
21 11 3120 2434, E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeF8062 Maintaining momentum in the workplace against
complacency towards HIV prevention programs
C.G. Fourie. PO. Box 1155, Wandsbeck, 3631, South Africa, South Africa
Issues: The paper is based on the researchers capacity as a Social Worker in

a hospital in South Africa and her interactions with Health Care Workers through
HIV workshops and counselling HIV infected patients.
Cultural practices, social beliefs and biases are the biggest challenge to developing countries. High risk categories still are disempowered women, children and
the poor.
KwaZulu-Natal has approx 8.4 million infected persons, 52.3% are females and
46.8% males. Statistics show 1500 people are infected daily and rates of infec