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

678 Abstracts ThPeG8380-ThPeG8383

XIV International AIDS Conference

- Practical lessons in condom usage to be promoted. Condoms to be freely available in the area
- Reading materials to be distributed.
- More NGOs should involved with HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Presenting author: Piyasiri Sella Hennadige, 46, Pipe Line Road, Koswatta,
Battramulla, Sri Lanka, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: pasindup
@sltnet.lk
ThPeG8380 Improving HIV/AIDS prevention for immigrants
living in Germany: a new comprehensive approach
P. Narimani1, M. Wright2, O. Akbiyik3, A. Bagit4, J. Meggers5, N. Prasad6.
'NOKTA, NOKTA, Teutonenstr. 4, 14129 Berlin, Germany; 2Free University of
Berlin, Berlin, Germany; 3ODAK e. V, Berlin, Germany; 4VIA Berlin/Brandenburg
e. V, Berlin, Germany'; 5Public Health Authority Charlottenburg, Berlin, Germany;
6Ban Ying e.V, Berlin, Germany
Background: Traditionally, immigration has not been viewed as an important issue in Germany. But as the numbers of immigrants with AIDS has risen, NGOs
and public authorities have begun examining the connection between immigration and HIV/AIDS. The authors were commissioned to provide a comprehensive
analysis of this issue and to propose improvements for prevention services, with
a particular focus on Berlin.
Methods: An extensive review of the international literature on immigration and
HIV/AIDS (including the results of major European conferences on the issue);
analysis of national AIDS surveillance data; examination of the practice guidelines of the ASOs; analysis of the health risks posed to immigrants in light of legal
and political developments in Germany.
Results: International trends indicate a heightened HIV risk for immigrant populations. The lack of epidemiological data in Germany on nationality and HIV status
results in many unanswered questions. Immigrants do not constitute a clearlydefined target group, but rather a large and diverse population from over 150
countries. The primary risk posed to immigrants regarding health problems in
general and HIV in particular is the lack of access to statutory services. The overarching need, regardless of nationality, is an unrestricted access to such services.
Conclusions: To achieve improved access to existing services, culturally-specific
interventions alone are inadequate. Structural changes need to be made within
the health care system to remove current barriers. The authors propose an intercultural approach with the goal of fully integrating immigrants within current
structures. This approach has four components: Identifying barriers within current structures; conducting needs assessments of immigrant groups; an ongoing
representation of immigrants' interests within the AIDS service organizations; and
developing the intercultural competency of staff members.
Presenting author: Petra Narimani, NOKTA, Teutonenstr. 4, 14129 Berlin, Germany, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: PetraNarimani@aol.
com
ThPeG8381 Experience from applying a behavior changing
communication model for HIVISTI prevention
towards mobile population in Haiphong - Vietnam
D.T. Pham. Dung Tien Pham, 16B Tran Quang Khai Street, Hong Bang District,
Haiphong City, Vietnam
Issue: A Behavior Changing Communication (BCC) Model for HIV/STI Prevention
toward Mobile Population
Description: Project of Mobile Population and STI/ HIV Vulnerability in Haiphong
financed by Australian Gov. & implemented by World Vision Vietnam aims at:
Reducing scale & impact of HIV-STI & increasing safe behavior among truck/bus
drivers, seafarers & Service Girls (SG)/ Commercial Sex Worker (CSW) to reduce
STI-HIV transmission
The BCC Model & 3 main channels:
1, Direct BCC: Face to face discussion done by Frontline Social et-workers (FSN)
with drivers, seafarers & by Peer Educators (PE) from SG/CSW with CSW group
& other two about HIV-STI & prevention.
2, Indirect BCC: Distributing printed & other IEC materials containing the HIV-STI
information & prevention done by FSN & PE.
3, Mass media BCC:Publishing newsletter providing extra information on the matter & project progress to encourage behavior changing effort done by project staff
& FSNs/PEs.

And, Opportunity BCC: Mobile music shows at main vehicle parks; Free STI exam
& treatment campaigns for CSWs; BCC campaign. They're done whenever having
opportunities and by the chance FSN/PE with HIV carriers/AIDS patients volunteers implement direct & indirect BCC etc.
Lesson learned: Employing suitable FSNs & PEs with the volunteering commitment, well trained on HIV/AIDS-STI & BCC skill: Printed IEC materials are
effective as the high rate of literate Vietnamese
Mass media BCC by publishing newsletter on newspaper/TV seems not to be
effective as neglecting of drivers & seafarers due to working condition
Recommendations: The model should be implemented in a package
Channel emphasizing depends on local conditions, education & network
Mass media BCC can be replaced by printed newsletter & handily distributed by
FSNs/PEs.
Presenting author: Dung Tien Pham, 16B Tran Quang Khai Street, Hong Bang
District, Haiphong City, Vietnam, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
[email protected]
ThPeG8382I Migration and health in the London sex industry
K. Cooper. Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, Imperial College of
Science, Technology & Medicine at St Mary's, London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
Issues: Whether health and HIV risk differ between and among migrant and local
(UK) sex workers in London.
Description: Three aspects of our research into the London sex industry confirm
significant heterogeneity among sex workers in London and diverse health and
service needs. a) Research conducted in our clinic revealed that new recruits during 1997-2000 were older (median age of 27) than during 1985-1989 (median age
25). Their median time in sex work had reduced from 31 months (1985-1989) to
12 months (1997-2000). The percentage of women reporting past sexually transmitted infection (STI) had reduced from 63% (1985-1989) to 31% (1997-2000).
Clinic data also revealed an increase in the proportion of women from outside the
UK attending our clinic, from 20% (1985-1989) to 72% (1997-2000).
b) Fieldwork (1998-2000) to 60 flats and 8 saunas in central London revealed a
majority of non-UK women working in flats (37/48) and in saunas (40/52). These
data revealed serious health and HIV risk including limited knowledge of sexual
health, lack of access to services, exploitation, poor language skills. c) Women
met through fieldwork (1998-2000) on streets in a local red light area were all
from the UK. These data revealed severe health problems related to drug abuse,
homelessness, mental health.
Lessons learned: While clinic data show increasing condom use and decreased
STI among sex workers, case studies show that health is contingent upon migration status, education, knowledge of English, peer networks and access to or by
appropriate services.
Recommendations: An improvement in health and less risk of STI or HIV transmission go hand in hand with the appropriate delivery of outreach, support services as well as informal peer networks.
As well as health services, access to legal advice and some English knowledge
are crucial to an improvement in the working and living conditions of migrant sex
workers in London, as amongst migrants more generally.
Presenting author: Kate Cooper, Department of Epidemiology & Public Health,
Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine at St Mary's, London, W2
1PG, United Kingdom, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: k.
cooper@ ic.ac.uk
ThPeG8383 A study on the awareness,prevention and care of
HIV/AIDS among Srilankan refugees in camps in
Tamil Nadu
F.I.M. Benoit1, G. Xavier1, J. Xavier1, D. Alexander2. 1Loyola College, Chennai,
Tamil Nadu, India; 2Stella Maris College, Chennai, India
Background: Out of the many vulnerable people in the world the refugees are the
worst hit. Against bombs, firing and famine a refugee leaves home to seek asylum
elsewhere, hoping that the new place would bring a better living. Today with newer
ilness and pandemics we find that lives are even tougher for them.Knowledge on
the HIV/AIDs issues may seem like a luxury to them leave alone the care and
protection for the positive people
Methodology: Two refugee camps from Tamil Nadu were chosen by the lottery
method and 108 respondents chosen by quota sampling. Out of the 108 43%
were men and 57% were women. The hypothesis of the study is that the refugees
are most likely to have very less information on HIV/AIDS. With this the interview
schedule was administered to the refugees
Results: some of the major findings of the study was that although there was
a little information about the spreading of the disease there wasnot much known
about how toprotect themselves and there were alot of misconceptions, HIV/AIDS
with its high societal discrimination was still considered a taboo to talkabout.
Conclusion: The refugees need to be better informed to handle situatuions like

HIV/AIDS. In the interest of the refugees more awareness programmes must go
into the rehabilitation plan for the refugees. Information not given to the refugees
on HIV/AIDS is nothing but human rights violation
Presenting author: FLORINA BENOIT, 15,G.A.A.KHAN I STREET, THOUSAND
LIGHTS, CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU, India, Tel.: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]

Original IEC model by Unicef VN.