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

XIV International AIDS Conference

Abstracts ThPeG8348-ThPeG8352 671

Pressures, Sexuality, Reclaiming Emotions, Outer power vs Inner strength, Value
Clarification, etc. apart from information on HIV/AIDS/STIs & Sexual health.
The workshop has had a strong influence on the boys - especially eased their
pressures and brought about changes in attitudes - going by what they shared
during the 5 days.
Lessons learned: The four pressures felt most acutely by the boys were the
pressure (a) of 'Sex Power' (b) to exaggerate sexual attraction for women, (c) to
suppress sexual feelings for other men & (d) to suppress emotions. All four have
serious effect on their sexual health and behavior.
Recommendations: The issues of Masculinity must be addressed on an urgent
basis in all HIV/AIDS programs with men. A lot of efforts need to be undertaken
both at the micro and macro level to remove the pressures on men. Talking about
them is the first step.
Presenting author: Alok Srivastava, 323/B, J&K Pocket, Dilshad Garden, Delhi -
110 095, India, Tel.: +91 +011 227 0071, E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeG8348 HIV+ and AIDS prevention program: Durjoy an
organization of floating sex worker
H. Sultana1, H. DurJoy2, N. Shongho2. 1, 49/1 Block B, Babar Road,
Mohammadpur Housing Estate, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh; 2Organization of
Floating Sex Workers, Bangladesh
Issues: In 1998 Durjoy Nari Shongho was established with the aim to empower
the sex workers. Initially it was registered with ministry of women and children
affair of Bangladesh, and gets involved in advocating rights of the sex worker in
the society. One of the main issues it started to deal with was the right to sexual
health. In consequences, Durjoy initiates a campaign for condom promotion both
among the client and sex worker thus get involved with AIDS prevention.
Description: The members of Durjoy are working in the Dhaka City with AIDS
awareness program. In the entire Dhaka City through 6 DCI, in 61 areas sex
workers are distributing condoms. To innovate an effective measure to AIDS prevention, sex workers has conducted a survey upon the client. For the sustainability of this organization the sex workers themselves have taken various activities
unlike; cooking project, savings project. Moreover, the ultimate aim of Durjoy is to
achieve social acknowledgement of the profession.
Result: and the Recommendations: A large number of sex worker population becomes aware of AIDS and HIV+, and about get involved to improve awareness
of their client group. They regularly use condoms and have taken STD seriously.
Durjoy as a women organization has gone one step ahead to raising the issues
of sexual health.# Durjoy Nari Shongho has taken initiative to combat child prostitution.#Durjoy Nari Shongho will establish a network among the sex workers
around the world.# Durjoy Nari Shongho will undertake project to rehabilitate the
aged sex workers.# Durjoy Nari Shongho will take the responsibility of the children sex workers.# Provision of legal support to the sex workers will be developed
within the organization.
Presenting author: Hazera Sultana, 49/1 Block B, Babar Road, Mohammadpur
Housing Estate, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh, Tel.: [phone], Fax: +880 02
8114183, E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeG8349 Barriers and opportunities for improved school
based HIV/AIDS Education in Nepal
P. Simkhadal, K.B. Karki2. ICentre for Health Promotion and Research,
SOLID/Nepal, (Temporary mailing address until end of July 2002), 175
Honeysuckle Road, Southampton, SD16 3BQ, Nepal; 2Centre for School Health,
SOLID/Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Issues: School personnel represent a significant population at risk for potential
transmission of blood-borne diseases including HIV/AIDS. School based activities on HIV/AIDS education have however lacked behind. Given that 7 million
students attend school nation-wide the opportunity to educate and provide young
people of Nepal with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about
their sexual lives including HIV/AIDS education is being missed.
Description: This paper addresses some of the challenges in development of a
more comprehensive HIV/AIDS education curriculum for secondary school pupils
in Nepal. This paper mainly explores the young people's, teacher's and parent's
knowledge, experiences and attitudes towards school based HIV/AIDS education,
barriers to improving the curriculum, and opportunities for change.
This paper is based on information collected during in-depth interviews and focus
group discussions with young people, teachers and parents, and data obtained
during a questionnaire based survey of 1000 students in three regions of the
country.
Lessons learned: Although Nepal's secondary school education curriculum includes sex education in classes 9 and 10, within which HIV/AIDS is taught, these
classes tend to be highly biomedical in focus, teaching methods remain didactic
and the time allocated to the subject remains limited, if it is covered at all. Furthermore, teachers have no opportunity for the training, and lack of skills as well

as instructional resources to deliver a comprehensive HIV/AIDS education.
Recommendations: Increased access to instructional resources (i.e. text materials and in-services training/workshop for teachers and increased emphasis on
HIV/AIDS education in predominantly rural schools are necessary.
Presenting author: Padam Simkhada, (Temporary mailing address until end of
July 2002), 175 Honeysuckle Road, Southampton, S016 3BQ, United Kingdom,

Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeG8350 Africa KidSAFE: Creating a safety-net (Shelter,
Advocacy, Food, and Education) for children
orphaned, displaced, or made vulnerable due to
HIV/AIDS
L. Mwewa', C. Sipan, T. Ventimiglia', J. Yourkavitch2, K. Romano2. IProject
Concern International/Zambia, RO. Box 32320, Lusaka 10101, Zambia; 2Project
Concern International, San Diego, California, United States
Issues: One harrowing result of the HIV/AIDS crisis in southern Africa is thousands of children living on the street because they have lost parents/guardians to
AIDS, or because their families can no longer provide for them due to a diversion
of resources to care for a family member with AIDS. The situation is exacerbated
by the extreme poverty and poor health conditions in Zambia. Many street children
resort to piece-meal work, such as guarding cars, carrying things for shoppers,
and, especially among girls, selling things (e.g. fruits and vegetables) to survive.
However, some street children resort to begging, stealing, and selling sex for survival, and are at high risk for HIV infection.
Description: Sustainable, community-based prevention and mitigation efforts
contribute to rebuilding social support structures for children and families in the
face of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Project accomplishments include:
1) Formed coalition of NGOs and CBOs that care for street children
2) Increasing household income for vulnerable families through Mothers' Program
3) Reintegrating children into their families
4) Facilitating children's entry into a 'continuum of care' if there is no family
Lessons learned: To create this vital network, agreements between partners
must be clearly defined. Collaboration between NGOs, CBOs and government is
necessary for the success and sustainability of the network. Monthly meetings
of all partners with community representation improve communication, enhance
program implementation, and strengthen network ties.
Recommendation: This program recommends building community-based continuums of care services for orphans and vulnerable children as a necessary and
feasible response to the children's crisis experienced by many countries as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Presenting author: Louis Mwewa, PO. Box 32320, Lusaka 10101, Zambia, Tel.:
[phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeG8351 Issues and challenges around disclosure of sero
status in adolescents. An experience at 'The
Mildmay Centre'
L.J. Wanyenya. Mildmay International, Kampala, Uganda
Issues: HIV/AIDS infection highlights a number of challenges in Uganda. Significant steps have been taken and success achieved in the care of adults infected
with HIV/AIDS. However there is still lack of knowledge and skills on how to handle the specific challenges posed by adolescents. Children infected as a result
of Mother to Child transmission are surviving longer and becoming adolescents
(10-19 years of age). One of the most important issues in caring for adolescents
is overcoming challenges around the disclosure of their sero status. There are
many benefits in disclosure however dilemmas exist on who, why, when and how
disclosure should be done.
Description: This paper will consider findings based on personal experience and
a descriptive study looking at 53 adolescents infected with HIV/AIDS and their
parents/carers at the Mildmay Centre. Areas discussed will include the importance and relevancy of disclosure in adolescents, the fears and challenges involved in this and strategies for empowerment in the communication of difficult
and sensitive issues within disclosure. A true case scenario will also be shared.
Lessons learned: Most parents, carers and health workers underestimate the
understanding of adolescents and their ability to cope with the knowledge of their
sero status. Equipping carers with knowledge and skills in communication is key
in empowering them to handle issues around disclosure. Understanding and overcoming barriers to disclosure of sero status is essential for quality care of adolescents with HIV/AIDS and it is important for health workers to work in partnership
with parents and carers in this.
Recommendations: There is a need for further studies to explore the needs
and fears of parents, carers and health workers in disclosing sero status to adolescents and the challenges this poses, along with a need for health workers to
share experiences and learn from each other.
Presenting author: Leah Wanyenya, PO Box 24985, Kampala, Uganda, Tel.:
[phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: mildint2 @ infocom.co.ug
ThPeG8352 Declines in breastfeeding: A lasting legacy of the
HIV epidemic?

L. Kuhn1, D. Fransman 2, Z. Stein1. 'Columbia University New York, United
States; 2Child Health Unit, University of Cape Town, and Fogarty AITRF,
Columbia University, Sergievsky Center, 630 W 168th Street, New York, NY,
South Africa
Issues: Current policies threaten the practice of breastfeeding in Africa by linking
provision of Nevirapine (NVP) to formula feeding.