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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts ThPeG8309-ThPeG8313 663

counsellor's room for the pre-test. Then the counsellor refers the person to an
HIV positive adviser. There began the activity of post test club. Together in an
isolated place the newly tested positive person and the old one would share in
confidence and anonymously experience as the adviser discloses his status so
as to help the later subside the shock he has just received. Later on information
on hygiene and diet is given, the list of associations assuming responsabilities
for HIV patients is revealed Our position as HIV positive in four sites of the city
has helped subside the psychological effects after the announcement. Growing
number of HIV positive joining the association show the visibility of HIV positive
people in Bobo-dioulasso.
The positive administration of PLWA's life has several impacts in preventing
STI/AIDS in helping other to subside fear, terror and confusion. It is a strong
support system. We therefore recommend communities to put more and more
emphasis on the positive experience of PLWA in order to limit the spread and
negative psychological impacts at the annonce.
Presenting author: ROLAND SANOU, Bobo 382, Burkina Faso, Tel.: +226 97.
05.17, Fax: [phone]., E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeG8309 Disclosure as a tool in combating discrimination,
stigma and social exclusion
D. David1, J. Augustine2, L. Mahesh2, F. Benoit2. 1 Tamilnad network of positive
people, Chennal, India; 2positive women network, chennai, India
Issue: In a country rich in traditional and cultural beliefs, sex is looked down as a
taboo.The link of HIV/AIDS as a cause of sexual behaviour has addressed existing social system for people living with HIV.The situation is severe in the case of
women living with HIV. The source of infection has been the determining factor in
accepting women living with HIV/AIDS.
Description: Disclosure has been an effective means in combating the existing
situation of stigma and discrimination. The openness of one's status has been
implemented in college programmes, public meetings and other intervention programmes of the project.
Lessons learned: Disclosure has been an effective tool in creating an enabling
environment for people living with HIV. Disclosure has effected a change in the
attitudes of many people in the society thus gaining an acceptance for people living with HIV. This has also resulted in better understanding towards People living
with HIV thus reducing stigma.
Recommendations: Disclosure can be used as an effective means in combating
stigma and discrimination. More intervention programmes involving People living
with HIV would result in a greater change, as disclosure is a major component in
it.
Presenting author: Daisy David, Room No.41,Hayroon mansion, No. 51, Thayar
sahib street, Anna salai, Chennai - 600002, India, Tel.: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]
ThPeG831 0 Empowerment and capacity building PHA to be a
peer counselor
K. Jabjai. A/DS Access Foundation, Chiangrai, Thailand
Issue: People with HIV/AIDS were regarding as a person who has an advantage point than the others to provide counselling for HIV positive persons. Most
positive point associate in the area of sensory sharing which make people feel
easily to open themselves to the counselor. However, the role of the peer counselor would be accepted just as encouraged conversation and feeling sharing
between friends. And there are some questions about the potential of people with
HIV/AIDS to be a good counselor.
Description: ACCESS provides counselling services on HIV/AIDS as long as we
building up the involvement of people with HIV/AIDS, now ACCESS are cooperating with the PHA groups which we work closely and support them to provide the
services as same as we ever done. According to the large number of PHA groups
in network which they need the development of the self help activities in their
groups, ACCESS building up the capacity of PHA groups members to be as the
peer counselors for their groups through counselling training which we simplify for
PHA groups.
Lessons learned: People with HIV/AIDS have a good potential to be a counselor,
especially when they gain more technical supports. Indifferent to the others, not
all of them are appropriate to be a counselor.
Recommendation: The peer counselling is the important strategy to promote
and we can empower people with HIV/AIDS to be as a peer counselor through
training course and working support system.
Presenting author: Klong Jabjai, 289 Moo2, Nakhai Road, Maueng District, Chiangrai, Thailand, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]

ThPeG831 1 Coping with HIV/AIDS without anti-retrovirals
M. Tonsing. E 453, Greater Kailash 2, New Delhi 110048, India
Issue: The latest trend among PLWHAs indicates there is an over dependence
on anti-retroviral drugs that are cost prohibitive for the common man and its effectiveness over the long term not yet fully understood. However there are ways and
means to enhance one's life even without taking recourse to anti-retroviral drugs.

Description: My stay at Sahara, a residential care centre, has taught me that a
person who is HIV positive can also live a normal and productive life without antiretrovirals, by adhering to a few simple 'rules of living'. These include daily devotion, physical exercise, recreational activities, proper personal hygiene, a positive
outlook on life, involvement in a support group and when possible a regular job.
Lessons learned: Scripture reading and meditation helps in bringing serenity
and inner strength and provides a new meaning and purpose to life. Exercise
helps in enhancing physical fitness. Playing soccer gives a big psychological
boost. Taking a break once in a while and generally relaxing greatly helps in easing the mind from tensions. A few of us have come together and formed the Delhi
Network of Positive People (DNP+) to fight discrimination. The group holds regular meetings where people share their problems. These meetings foster a bonding
among members and the knowledge that you are not alone in your struggle gives
a lot of encouragement. Most of the members of the group are employed in various organizations, which in itself shows that one's HIV status doesn't necessarily
come in the way of a daily work routine.
Recommendations: In a developing country like India, where the medical infrastructure is greatly burdened by the population, the HIV positive should look
for other creative options, which cost very little to implement. It is important that
PLWHAs understand that there is a whole life outside of anti-retrovirals and economic disadvantage need not be a barrier to lead a normal life.
Presenting author: Momoi Tonsing, E 453, Greater Kailash 2, New Delhi
110048, India, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeG8312I From commitment to disclosure
N. Ritter. 47 Lees Street, Curepipe, Mauritius
Issues: In Mauritius a multicultural island, deeply rooted in religious beliefs the
silence around HIV/AIDS is very strong and the disease is considered for others.
The article will describe the itinerary of a person living with HIV from his commitment to the AIDS struggle to his public disclosure.
Descriptions: 1994, Nicolas Ritter, 24, discovers that he is HIV positive. Surrounded by caring and supportive parents, he has to go to Reunion Island for his
medical follow up. 1995 he meets Adrien before his death, the founder of RIVE,
an association of PLWAS. At that time the idea of following the path of Adrien in
Mauritius came to Nicolas. He went to live in Reunion where he joined RIVE, and
other AIDS organisations. 1996 Nicolas returns to Mauritius to launch PILS whose
main mission is to break the silence. During the next five years, PILS launched
various campaigns and went for permanent advocacy on access to antiretroviral. In 2001, the Mauritian Government finally accepted to give free antiretroviral
for those infected with HIV/AIDS. As barriers are broken and targets are being
met the young man's desire to publicly disclose his HIV status grows. At the 5th
Anniversary of PILS on the 24th of November 2001, Nicolas, president of PILS,
publicly disclosed that he was HIV positive.
Lessons learned: This public self-disclosure was well received by the media
and the public and set precedence for the launch of two initiatives: A network of
PWAS: ION+ Indian Ocean Network of people living with HIV/AIDS; and VIVRE+
Mauritius, the first Mauritian organisation of PLWAS.
Recommendation: This article clearly illustrates how ones attitude and commitment, despite ones life circumstances can give birth to a lot of hope. As we
continue to fight for the cause essential elements such as family, determination,
perseverance, and life experiences must all be considered and explored further,
for as shown they are crucial factors for those living with HIV/AIDS.
Presenting author: Nicolas Ritter, 47 Lees Street, Curepipe, Mauritius, Tel.: +230
675 35 67, Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
JThPeG831 3 Assessing community needs of the people with
HIV/AIDS (PWHA) in Bangladesh
A.T.T. Ahmed1, A.YM. Latifur Rahman2. 1HIV?AIDS and STD Alliance
Bangladesh (HASAB), hiv/aids and std alliance bangladesh (hasab), 4/1 iqbal
road, mohammadpur, dhaka- 1207, Bangladesh; 2 HIV/AIDS and STD Alliance
Bangladesh (HA SAB), Dhaka, Bangladesh
Issue: The PWHA is a stigmatized, hidden and hard to reach community in a low
prevalent country like Bangladesh. Exploring the community needs of PWHA is a
challenge and an essence to design an effective intervention for them.
Methodology: Participatory approach was undertaken for the assessment including the provision of collecting both-qualitative & quantitative data. Seven
male and three female PWHAs took part in a 3 daylong in-house assessment
process. Different participatory tools & techniques and one-to-one questionnaire
were used for gathering data.
Findings: The study revealed that more than half of the PWHAs (60%) contracted
the virus abroad who were migrant workers. Almost all PWHAs lack proper information on risk behaviors, secondary transmission, opportunistic infections, precaution, medication, nutrition etc. They lack access to health care and support

in terms of services and information. Though some NGOs are providing care &
support services for them, Govt. service centers are half-hearted for their welfare.
Most PWHAs are not open to their families, work places and in the community for
the fear of stigmatization and discrimination.
The major needs identified as follows: 1) health care & support services including
palliative treatment and retroviral, 2) routine CD-4 cell count 3) economic empowerment, 4) counseling & proper information flow, 5) policy change to raise