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

604 Abstracts ThPeF8063-ThPeF8066

XIV International AIDS Conference

tion have not plateaued despite prevention programs. Evidence suggests that the
process of prevention needs a co-ordinated approach of all stakeholders whereby
needs are met at grassroots level.
Description: Prevention equates to changing perceptions then behaviour. It is
clear that unsafe sexual practices and ignorance is still evident.
The theoretical framework of the HIV training program will combine the ecosystems and client centred theory.
This model will have basically 4 essential components, including:
- Post exposure prophylaxis for the Health Care Workers and medico-legal legislative education for Voluntary Testing and Counselling of patients.
- Constitutional rights in terms of confidentiality and disclosure in the workplace
- Awareness of personal bias and value systems
- Counselling and communication skills
Lessons learned: Prevention programs are necessary but not sufficient in the
fight against HIV. Furthermore prevention programs cannot be sustained in a system which is socio-economically unsupportive.
Recommendation: ALL business's should conduct HIV prevention programs with
open testing, distribution of condoms and access to treatment.
A holistic non-eurocentric approach whereby HIV programs in the workplace are
linked to a developmental model in partnership with Local Government which
takes cognizance of cultural beliefs, political constraints and scarce resources.
Presenting author: Cynthia, Gaynor Fourie, P.O. Box 1155, Wandsbeck, 3631,
South Africa, South Africa, Tel.: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeF8063 YOUR UNION PROTECTING YOU - A case study of
the "Get Real, Get Safe" HIV/AIDS Education
Program presented by construction industry
unions on building sites in Australia.
T.J. Sharp. Co-ordinator, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Issues: Trade unions are a strong and powerful entity in matters affecting the protection of workers, defending human rights and dignity, health and safety, personal
needs, as well as social and community issues. With young workers identified as
an at risk group through risky drug taking and unsafe sexual practices, construction unions in Australia have undertaken to provide HIV/AIDS awareness, education and resources that directly target construction workers in their workplace.
Description: The "Get Real, Get Safe" Project is a workplace HIV/AIDS awareness and education program. It utilises the existing communication and educational resources of the unions to present safe sex and safe drug use messages
to workers on construction sites and to apprentices in TAFE colleges.
This paper will outline the Project's development and methods of implementation,
its placement within the unions day to day activities, and the role of the target
group in the development and distribution of resources and educational materials that are acceptable to all stakeholders in the industry. It will further describe
its efforts to reverse negative peer pressure by making positive harm reduction
messages a part of the everyday culture of the industry The paper will also summarise the Program's evaluation methods, including the results of a written survey
completed by a broad cross section of the target group.
Lessons learned: The success of the Project clearly demonstrates the ability of
unions to respond to social and community issues, and to involve their membership in the development and implementation of health promotion campaigns. It is
a method that could and should be more widely adapted globally.
Recommendations: The Project needs to maintain its focus in the workplace
and identify further sources of funding for the development of additional resources
and educational materials so that it may expand its reach and target the families
of building workers.
Presenting author: Trevor james Sharp, Box 28, 189 Liverpool St., Sydney,
2000, N.S.W., Australia, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]
ThPeF8064 A pilot experience to control the HIV/AIDS spread in
Serbia, Bosnia Federation and Srspka Republic
S. Volpicelli', R. Rossi1, T. Berberovic2, N. Loncarevic3, S. Mandic-Soldo4,
M. Pancanti5, M. Martini6, C. Lesmo7, V. Agnoletto7, C. Sala7. 'LILA CEO/US,
Milan, Italy; 2lnternational Organisation for Migration, Belgrade, Yugoslavia;
3International Organisation for Migration, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
4lInternational Organisation for Migration, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
5 P24, Livorno, Italy; 6international Organisation for Migration, Rome, Italy; 7LILA
CEDIUS, Milan, Italy
Issues: Experience shows that prevention interventions are more effective if they
can count on the support of the whole population. Economic and social crisis as
war consequences do worsen social fragmentation and the vulnerability to the
infections of the populations. We therefore felt it was essential to strengthen the
capacity to react to the problems linked with HIV/AIDS through training courses
aimed at strategic segments of civil society.

Description: as a model approach in the Balkans, we piloted, in close collaboration with IOM (International Organisation for Migration) offices in Rome, Belgrade,
Sarajevo and Banja Luka a training course on capacity building addressed to local
NGOs in Nis (Serbia), a preparatory counselling course for general practitioners
in Banja Luka (Srpska Rep.) and a seminar on the prevention of HIV infection
and drug abuse for youth football team trainers in Sarajevo (Bosnia Fed.). These
programmes were funded by Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGCS).

Lesson learned: the non-clinical aspects of HIV/AIDS, such as how to contrast
the stigmatisation and ostracism process, the strategic importance of working in
a network, the role of the organisations as stakeholders and the benefits of supporting HIV+ people also in terms of prevention are the most strategic issues to
be privileged in order to face the HIV spread in this area.
Recommendations: implementing on the field activities in order to set up prevention intervention (both among the public at large and aimed at population most at
risk) empowering HIV positive people and their families, and awareness campaign aimed at health providers focusing the importance of not ostracising and
discriminating them.
Presenting author: Stefano Volpicelli, c/o LILA CEDIUS, Via Rogoredo 41,
20138, Milan, Italy, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: svolpicelli
@ libero.it
ThPeF8065I Strategies for prevention of HIV/AIDS among the
sex workers
A. Jain. Field Worker, 421, Mahaveer Nagar, Tonk Road, Jaipur 302018, India
Issue: Sex workers in rural areas of district Bharatpur, India are at high risk because neither they have adequate knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS nor access to
any sort of educational programmes. Almost all of them are illiterate. Rate of infection with HIV/AIDS and other STDs has been increasingly rapidly among them.
Descriptions: A program of education for sex workers was initiated in Bharatpur
during the year 1998. The sex centres are inhabited on the outskirts of the villages and there is no approach roads. Also there is no facilities of general health
care in and around the sex centres. SWs have contacts with quacks or traditional
healers and seek treatment from them in case of any STD or other general diseases. These quacks, traditional healers are quite ignorant about HIV/AIDS and
STDs. They can only provide them with some herbal preparations based on their
symptomatic traditional knowledge. Thus the risk of HIV infection is becoming
very alarming. Under this project programme of intervention was developed for
the sex workers, quacks and traditional healers
Workshops and highly focused group discussions were organized separately as
well as jointly among the SWs, quacks and traditional healers. Specially prepred
IEC materials were used for training in addition to mutual sharing and interactions
Lessons learned: The innovative kind of educational activities carried out under
the project proved very much appropriate and useful for the SWs as well as the
quacks and traditional healers. Enthusiastic response of sex workers was notified during cultural gatherings and focus group discussions. They grasped well
the message and information disseminated through puppet shows, role-play, and
street plays etc
Recommendation: Educational programme for SWs needs to be developed very
carefully specially keeping in view their socio-economic background, educational
status, access to health care services etc. and care and support programme for
those who are infected with HIV
Presenting author: Anshu Jain, 421, Mahaveer Nagar, Tonk Road, Jaipur
302018, India, Tel.: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeF8066 Artisanal and Small Scale Mines (SSM)- ticking time
bombs in serious need of STD/AIDS interventions
C. Hunger', A. Mlay2, A. Mohamed3, E. Mhando3, R. Goergen2. 1DED, Lindi,
Tanzania; 2GTZ, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 3 Ministry of Health, Lindi, Tanzania
Issues: Workplace interventions are undertaken in established industries and
companies with a genuine interest in their workforce. In developing countries informal "industries" play an important role and in Tanzania they number several
hundreds. They are also often a source of HIV transmission, which is not sufficiently recognized. We present the case of a workplace intervention in an artisanal newly established mining area in Namungo, Lindi Region, Tanzania.
Description: The intervention in Namungo with 400 people and the nearby village, consisted of a baseline survey on STD/HIV/AIDS followed by treatment
of STD-patients and an information/education campaign. - The baseline survey
showed high knowledge of STDs: 81% stated HIV as a STD; the use condom was
mentioned as importanten havin an with commercial sex worker (70%), with
a stranger (72%) and with a student (54%). Many respondents had high-risk sexual exposure: 48% had paid for sex; 42%> 1 partner the past 3 months. Regarding self-perceived risk of being HIV-infected 15% rated very high, 24% moderate,
33% low and no risk 29%. The willingness for VCT was expressed by 92% of the
respondents; willingness to pay for medical services was high. - A total of 429
STD-clients were treated; 38% of men and women had symptoms of GUS, 40%
of men and 24% of women GDS and 25% PlD. 18% of all patients were syphilis
positive with the highest prevalence 38% among female STD patients. HIV test
showed 22% positive for both sexes in Namungo, and 10% in the nearby village.
Women with a STD were more affected, 36% positive in Namungo.
Lessons learned: Small scale mines, as other work places with single men, encourages risky sexual behaviour and constitutes an important source of spread

of HIV. Few of these workplaces are targeted for AIDS prevention activities in
Tanzania
Recommendation: STD/AIDS prevention in small scale mines should be made
a priority and be part of district and regional AIDS control plans.
Presenting author: Claudia Hunger, ded, RO Box 978, Lindi, Tanzania, Tel.:
[phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]