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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts ThPeF8228-ThOrG1415 639

Lessons learned: Without antiretroviral therapy the level of HIV transmission
from mother to child was 22%. After the introduction of short retrovire regimen
(starting from 36 weeks, 300 mg twice a day and during delivery every 3 hour for
300 mg) the level of HIV transmission from mother to child became 7.6%.
Recommendation: Short retrovire regimen of antiretroviral therapy decreases
the level of HIV transmission from mother to child in 2.8 times in Odessa region,
Ukraine. This regimen can be recommended for health care settings with limited
resources.
Presenting author: Zoya Shabarova, 1212 New York Ave., NW, Suite 750, Washington DC, 20005, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone],
E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeF8228 Efforts to link the medical and counselling care
teams for joint care strategies
O.N. Onyanqore. Therapist, P0. Box 20802 K.N.H, Nairobi, Kenya
Issues: Over the past years many organizations in Kenya have set up counselling centres offering psychological support to people living with HIV/Aids. However there has been lack of intergration of quality medical follow-up and adequate
treatment information regarding Anti-retroviral therapy for poor communities who
also face issues of poverty and exclusion.
Description: A collaboration relationship was established between a nongovermental organization running home care activities and a hospital institution
within an urban slum community. A patient support centre was set-up to facilitate
effective counselling and treatment care for people living with HIV/Aids in Kenya.
Lessons learned: The program has noted an increase in the number of patients
who attend voluntary counselling and testing. Many have benefited from early
diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of opportunistic infections.
Recommendation: This paper recommends establishment of support net-works
with improved medical follow-up to promote and improve the quality of lifeof people living with HIV/Aids.
Presenting author: OMARI, NYANTIKA ONYANGORE, P.O. BOX 20802 K.N.H,
NAIROBI, Kenya, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone] /573314, E-mail: hiv.
support@ msfb.or.ke
ThPeF8229 Learning together: Semi-structured discussion
groups for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) in
Mexico City supported by electronic technology
J.C. Rodriquez-Espinosa, A.I. Luna-Cadena, J.G. Cabrera-Resendiz,
H. Perez-Vasquez. Red Mexicana de Personas que Viven con VIH/SIDA,
Astronomos # 38-1, Col. Escand6n, 11800 Mexico, D.F, Mexico
Issues: Self-support groups are a successful strategy to approach and discuss
relevant issues among PLHAs. The creation of semi-structured discussion groups
fosters skill building, stimulates community participation of PLHAs and provides
spaces for discussion on specific issues that allow participants to be involved
in the solution of their problems. Electronic technology plays a key role, opening effective communication channels for discussion and reflection, and to make
proposals among people and groups that share common interests and problems.
Description: This project develops and implements semi-structured discussion
groups and reinforces the information flow amongt PLHAS in Mexico City. The
project includes: separate discussion groups for men and women and strengthening the Resource Center and website of the organization. The replication of
the discussion groups is ensured through the development of a guide with modules for semi-structured discussion groups and capacity building of participants
throughout the year to be able to reproduce the model. To develop the discussion
formats we use existing chatlines and websites while developing a long-term plan
for use of internet-based discussion groups, information-sharing and documentdevelopment.
Lessons learned: The discussion raised on the weekly meetings of both groups,
provides relevant issues for PLHAs. The use of the electronic technology permits
sharing those discussions and additional information searched by the Resource
Center with other individuals that don't attend group meetings and enrich the level
of understanding of those that attend.
Recommendations: Is important to develop strategies that encourage PLHAs
to use computers as a tool to improve their quality of life, a new approach of the
work dynamics among self support-groups. In Mexico, access to internet services
often are not available enough. Develop the skills of computer use is crucial to the
success of this project.
Presenting author: Juan-Carlos Rodriguez-Espinosa, Astronomos # 38-1, Col.
Escand6n, 11800 Mexico, D.F, Mexico, Tel.: [phone], Fax: +52 55 55
15 55 83, E-mail: [email protected]

ThPeF8230 Cross-border patient treatment advocacy
throughout Europe
M. Guarinieri1, K. Kokkas2, R. Camp3, L. Hollander3. 1EATG, Mindenerstrasse
33, DOsseldorf, Italy; 2EATG, Athens, Greece; 3EATG, Barcelona, Spain
Issue: The European AIDS Treatment Group, EATG, is a group of HIV treatment
advocates. Treatment advocates campaign for easier access and better treatments for HIV infection. The knowledge on how to become an advocate and op
erate effectively has been accumulated by NGOs over the years. It is EATG's
profound belief that this knowledge can and should be transmitted, together with
the instruments necessary to help translate this knowledge into a local reality.
Description: The aim of the Southern States Treatment Advocacy Seminar is
to promote the issue of treatment advocacy within HIV NGOs in Southern Europe. Past seminars were organized to transmit knowledge on treatments and
other skills necessary to become effective activists/advocates in Southern Europe. More than 250 people have been trained to advocate for better treatments
in S, P, I, GR. The attendees have different levels of experience as treatment
activists. The programme includes informative and interactive sessions. There is
i) a Scientific Program, ii) a self-designed Update Program on social issues and
science, iii) How to negotiate with Media, Institutions and Pharmaceutical companies, and iv) How to transmit information to Physicians, NGOs and Patients. The
question we ask is: how can this information be used on a local level? Participants are selected on a basis of a criterion of diversity; in order to aid the spread
of activism locally, priority is given to participants from different organizations and
different geographical regions.
Lessons learned: Treatment Advocacy is important for all people in the HIV community, and any motivated NGO member can achieve the goal of advocating for
treatments, and information about them, in his/her community.
Recommendations: Treatment Advocacy can be transmitted and applied across
and through cultures with a well-balanced training program. These should be supported and more institutionalised.
Presenting author: Rob Camp, Mindenerstrasse 33, DOsseldorf, Germany, Tel.:
+49.211.788.3481, Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeF8231 Evaluation of a patient information forum for people
with HIV in London
R. Fieldhouse. NAM, London, United Kingdom
Background: Since 1987 NAM has been the UK's leading provider of information on HIV and AIDS. As an adjunct to our written materials, NAM provides a
series of ten monthly information forums for people living with HIV or AIDS. In
years when the International AIDS Conference takes place we provide additional
feedback sessions across the UK.
Each month one of the UK's leading HIV clinicians is invited to speak on a topic
designated by NAM. Often a non-medical speaker is invited too.
The audience is primarily HIV-positive and, traditionally, gay, white and male.
Though increasingly, women, people from African communities and healthcare
professionals attend.
Methods: NAM is aware of the benefits this project brings to the rest of its work;
we are able to facilitate and learn from the interaction between patient and doctor.
At the end of each session, participants are requested to fill out a self-completion
questionnaire. Basic demographic data are collected and participants are required to rate the session for relevance and usefulness. They are also encouraged to make suggestions for future events.
Results: In the first few years following the wider availability of HAART in the
UK the events were particularly well attended. By 2000, attendance had begun
declining. A symptom of HIV treatment fatigue?
During 2000 we refocused our efforts, targeting advertising and developing an
educational programme in direct response to our client's stated needs.
During 2001, attendance at the events increased by 30%.
In January 2002 we obtained funding to carry out focus group work to evaluate
the project in more detail. We anticipate this will enable us to further build on
recent advances in coming years.
Conclusions: The events are informal, friendly, mutually beneficial to both NAM
and its clients and personally, a privilege to be involved in.
The results of the monthly evaluation exercise (2000-2001) and the 2002 focus
groups will be discussed.
Presenting author: Robert Fieldhouse, NAM, 16A Clapham Common Southside,
London, SW4 7AB, United Kingdom, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone]
3101, E-mail: [email protected]
ThOrG1415 The sexual rights campaign: a policy and advocacy
intervention to reduce HIVIAID, violence against
women and unplanned pregnancy
N. Masindi, Z. Hlatshwayo, Z. Msimang, D. Monareng. University of
Witwatersrand, School of Public Health, PO.Box 1038, Johannesburg, 2000,
South Africa
Issues: The "Abstain, Be Faithful and Condomise" (ABC) strategy that South
Africa is using to prevent HIV infection has proved inadequate. This is because the
ABC strategy does not deal with issues of gender inequality and poverty, which
when combined, may make it virtually impossible for people to abstain from sex,
be faithful or condomise. Gender inequality and poverty increase the likelihood of
women staying in abusive relationships.

Descriptions: The Sexual Rights Campaign is a rights-based mass mobilisation
strategy to raise awareness among the South African population about sexual
rights as a prerequisite for preventing HIV/AIDS and improving the sexual health
of women and men including adolescents. The Sexual rights campaign promotes
the principles of self-determination and body ownership for women and men. It
builds a culture of sexual rights in individual sexual relationships, in communities
and in the workplace. Activities include: