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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts ThPeF8067-ThPeF8071 605

ThPeF8067 Work based prevention programmes for brothel
helpers in red light areas of Bombay City
S.A.A. Patel. Salim, asha project, 2nd floor, municipal eye hospital, mumbai
400008., India
Issues: The Complex problems of Brothel Helpers in the Red Light Areas of Bombay City.
Description: The AIDS, STD & Health Action (ASHA) is a Project of 'Bombay
Municipal Corporation' functioning since 1992 in the Red Light Areas of Bombay
City. The Project had interventions with different Target Groups such as CSWs,
their Clients etc. The need assessed to deal with the Brothel Helpers who work
as pimps and also as a helpers during the business hours. A small study was
conducted through the Project to assess the need of this Target Group. Total
850 Brothel Helpers were identified and sensitized through various activities such
as Small Group Sessions, Focus Group Discussions and Workshops and also
through interpersonal contacts. The intervention was focused on the issues of
Gender, Sex-Sexuality, Condom Promotion and STI/ HIV/AIDS.
The Activities focused on the assessed and felt needs of the Brothel Helpers and
training Key Leaders to educate the Brothel Helpers.
Lessons learned: Most of the Brothel Helpers were from the age group of 13 to
35 years and belong to numerous linguistic groups. They also indulged in various
High-Risk behaviours. It is also learnt that Brothel Helpers are cogs in the wheel
of HIV/ AIDS Prevention & Control Activities. Key Leaders of Brothel Helpers can
be Educated and Trained as a force for social change.
Recommendations: - Brothel Helpers to be recruited, trained and sensitized.
- Key Leaders plays important role in Prevention & Control of STI/HIV/AIDS.
- Programs for Brothel Helpers to be conducted on consistent and sustainable
basis, which will enhance safer sexual practices in the long run.
- Key Leaders to be selected from Brothel Helpers and also empowered to guide
them.
Presenting author: salim patel, asha project, 2nd floor, municipal eye hospital,
mumbai 400008., India, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: ashaproj
@bom5.vsnl.net.in
ThPeF8068 Communicating with servicemen about sex:
lessons from the Cambodian Red Cross peer
education project with uniformed services
V. Om, S. Va. Cambodian Red Cross, Cambodian Red Cross, 17, Street 180,
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Issues: Cambodia has one of the most severe HIV/AIDS epidemics in Asia, and
uniformed servicemen, such as police and military, with mobility and power, have
much opportunity for risk behavior.
Descriptions: The Cambodian Red Cross peer education project has aimed to
increase uniformed services' knowledge and skills to protect themselves and their
partners, and to become role models for HIV prevention in their communities.
Communication activities have included:
Training of Trainers: including uniformed service staff as peer trainers
Sensitization Workshops: designed and conducted for commanders and officers
to build their sense of ownership of the project, to clarify their roles and responsibilities, and to improve the chances of success and sustainability
Training of Peer Supporters: to develop peer educators for informal education
Life Skills Workshops: reaching all uniformed servicemen in target provinces, districts and services, to provide them with an opportunity to participate in discussing
sex and HIV/AIDS and to practice skills such as condom use and negotiation
IEC materials: supportive materials used in workshops and other activities
Lessons learned: Experience from employing a range of communication activities has taught us that it is important constantly to be aware of our audience's
background and needs - to know our trainers, to make good contacts with officers, and to listen to peer supporters and peer beneficiaries. Only then are we
able to have meaningful dialogue about HIV prevention.
Recommendations: All involved in the project must revisit the audience periodically, to check whether we are addressing their needs. Expansion of the project
should be guided by effective behavior change communication practice.
Presenting author: Vutharo Om, Cambodian Red Cross, 17, Street 180, Phnom
Penh, Cambodia, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: vutharo
@bigpond.com.kh
ThPeF8069 Prevention is more effective communicating at
equal level
G. Carjo. Ctra. de Jean 78, Edf Sacromonte-A la D, 18013 Granada, Spain
SUBJECT: The prevention campaigns do not have the effect that they persecute.
The used model of communication is not the correct one.
One considers that a model of personal interaction between equals is more effec
tive to approach changes of conduct towards the prevention.
Description: Throughout 6 years 180 preventive-informative meetings about the
VIH-SIDA were celebrated as well as 700 personal interviews with all the users of
the "Centro de Rehabilitacion de Drogodependientes "HOGAR 20" in Granada,
Spain. During the meetings, of hour and a half each, a clear, concise and pleasant
information is given to the new patients, detecting the previous ideas they have
and updating the information that they already have on the VIH-SIDA.
The personal interview, that is made passed days, does not have limit of time,

depending on the necessities of each case. In the course of the interview, the
patient tells its possible risky practices, its health status, its doubts and fears related to the VIH-SIDA. It is a friendly dialog in which the patient feels like refugee,
without prejudices nor taboos, he feels to be understood and respected.
Conclusion: The work in prevention by means of a model of interpersonal communication at equal level is more effective.
Recommendation: The adoption of these models of interpersonal communication between equals is recommended in drug addicts prevention programms.
Presenting author: Gaspar Garijo, Ctra. de Jean 78, Edf Sacromonte-A l a
D, 18013 Granada, Spain, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]
ThPeF8070 The rich contract, the poor catch: perceptions of
vulnerability around HIV/AIDS
K.B.F. Bruck de freitas. Cyro Freitas Nancy Bruck de Freitas, SON 210 Bloco H
Apto 520, 70862-080, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
Issues: Increases in the number of AIDS cases have underscored the need to
map out factors of vulnerability and risk exposure within different social strata (ethnic, generational, regional, among others), since there is now consensus around
the need to adapt the language and procedures of HIV/AIDS prevention to the
public one intends to reach.
Throughout 15 years of epidemic, notions of HIV/AIDS risk have been assimilated
and appropriated by social groups. The information - what I will become, or what
will become of the vulnerable other to the epidemic - comes to be incorporated
into the individual or collective repertory in differentiated form.
Description: The present work reveals and discusses how different perceptions
of vulnerability can be determining factors while developing communication strategies for prevention with different populations. It draws from the experience of continuing intervention, particularly prevention workshops, throughout the state of
Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil. These experiences facilitated the mapping
of some "constructions" of risk perception, much like action strategies forwarded
by these groups to sensitize and educate around AIDS.
Lessons learned: This work underscores the fact that, equally as important as
studies which map out vulnerability factors of groups and populations are those
which attend to the production and circulation of "discourses" and how individuals
and groups construct their relation to the disease.
Recommendations: Interventions in education and communication in specific
populations will have the greatest efficacy if their strategies begin with the different perceptions of risk and vulnerability incorporated into the repertory of the
populations in question.
Presenting author: Karen Bruck de Freitas, SQN 210 Bloco H Apto 520, 70862 -080, Brasilia, DF, Brazil, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]
ThPeF8071I HIVIAIDS prevention and care for transport workers
in Uganda
N.M. Ouma, B. Anayo, R. Oiambo-Ochieng. ATGWU-URWU HIV/AIDS
Programme, Kampala, Uganda
Issues: The abstract gives the experiences of two Ugandan trade unions in carrying out HIV/AIDS interventions among transport workers and the communities
they interact with.
Description: A 1999 International Transport Workers Federation research on
HIV/AIDS and the transport workers in Uganda revealed that transport workers
were twice more likely to acquire HIV than workers in the low-risk occupations.
This was partly attributed to their poor terms and conditions of work; long delays
at border crossover and custom checkpoints; poor and inadequate facilities at
truck stopovers; and unrealistic work schedules. Thus, the temptations for them
to engage in casual sexual affairs with sex workers both as a way of passing time
and getting meals, accommodation, and sexual comforting at low cost. Sex workers operating at most truck stop points in Uganda were reported to have an HIV
seropositivity rate as high as 76%.
Amalgamated Transport & General Workers Union and Uganda Railway Workers
Union are currently implementing a joint UNAIDS funded HIV/AIDS project for
truckers. Other targeted groups are train and ship crew; other transport workers;
and sex workers at truck stopovers.
Activities carried out by the project include workplace policy development and
sensitisation seminars; community awareness campaigns; counsellor training;
identification of peer educators; negotiations for better work conditions; and social
marketing of condoms. The project involves the trade unions, employers and the
government in these interventions.
Lessons Learned: 1. To reach the sex workers it is helpful to involve local authorities
2. Truckers can be reached more easily at their workplaces than at stopovers
3. Using peer educators helps in reaching the two groups more easily

Recommendations: Focus on peer education and setting up counselling centres, liaison offices and facilities at truck stopovers.
Presenting author: Romano Ojiambo-Ochieng, Amalgamated Transport and
General Workers Union, P.O. Box 30407, Kampala, Uganda, Tel.: +256 41
232508, Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]