Abstract Book Vol. 1 [International Conference on AIDS (16th: 2006: Toronto, Canada)]

men for access to contraception to help them have the number of children
they want.
2) Programs and services, which are currently under different lines of authority
in the MOH, must be linked or integrated.
3) Initiating FP as an integral component of ART services during scale up will
be easier than adding it after the policies, guidelines, and protocols have been
firmly established.
4) Currently, ART providers, most of whom have received training from TASO,
counsel informally on FP. Counseling training can be further integrated and
strengthened, with standard guidelines from MOH.
5) Targeted messages are needed to address misconceptions among PLHA
regarding contraception.
6) FP providers need to be sensitized to serving HIV-positive clients without
making them feel that they are being discouraged from having sex or using
contraception.
7) Programs need to address the needs of men as well as women.
MOPE0988
Volunteerism as a strategy for sustaining HIV/AIDS
prevention among female sex workers in Lagos
State, Nigeria
D.E. Ofobrukwetal, S. Kanu2, R.C. Akpan'. 'Life Link Organisation, Program,
Lagos, Nigeria, "Global HIV/AIDS Initiative Nigeria (GHAIN), State, Lagos,
Nigeria
Issues: Female sex workers are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS because of their high
risk behaviour which includes having multiple sexual partners, drug abuse
among several others.
Description: An intervention programme was carried out by Life Link
Organisation with support from FHI/GHAIN. Strategies for the intervention
were sensitization seminars peer education training advocacy. In addition to
these strategies sex workers were also sensitized on the need to be a volunteer
in preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS among their peers.
Lessons learned: The concept of volunteerism was embraced by the sex
workers, but their concern is that financial enumeration should be attached to
the responsibility. Reasons for this were numerous. Time spend on educating
their peers would have been used for their business, the wear and tear of their
bodies. As a result of lack of enumeration, most sex workers were not attracted
to volunteering. The concept of volunteerism is still allied to the Nigeria society.
This partly could be attributed to the poverty level.
Recommendations: Volunteerism will thrive better if sex workers are
enumerated. There is need to continue to sensitized sex workers and the
community at large on the concept of volunteerism.
MOPE0989
Decriminalizing sex work: implications for HIV
prevention and control in China
D. Yu. National Center for AIDS Control and Prevention, Div. Policy Study &
Information, Beijing, China
Issues: While needle sharing remains the main source of HIV transmission in
China, the percentage of HIV infections from sexual transmission is steadily
increasing, and commercial sex work is regarded as one of the primary factors
leading to this increase. Current government policies such as the criminalization
of sex workers and "severely cracking down on illegal activities such as sex
work" have limited positive impact on HIV/AIDS prevention and control,
and leave sex workers socially and legally marginalized, thereby limiting the
effectiveness of prevention and outreach programs.
Description: This paper synthesizes lessons, based on review of the social,
economic and legal contexts of sex work, concurrent HIV/AIDS epidemics,
examples of successful interventions to sex workers in China, with a major
emphasis on decriminalization and regulation of sex-work and its possible
impact on HIV prevention and control. We map future directions for more
effective legal policies and programs.
Lessons learned: It proves that intervention program could be successfully
implemented among sex workers if pragmatic attitudes are taken. Current law
enforcement methods inhibit effective HIV/AIDS outreach campaigns which
target sex workers, such as condom promotion and voluntary counseling and
testing (VCT).
Recommendations: The government should consider lower- or de-criminalizing
and regulating sex work, to enable effective prevention activities targeting
the sex workers who are vulnerable and marginalized. Local authorities could
effectively regulate and control sex work in their cities and towns. As part of
their business license, owners of such establishments could be required to have
on-site education and prevention training for their employees. Such industries
could be taxed and the money earmarked for re-training programs which would
provide sex workers with opportunities to increase their marketable job skills
and thus leave sex work.

MOPEO990
Sex work and sexual minorities in the fight against
HIV/AIDS. Implications for health communication
and health education
M. Lewis', T. Tonge2, I. Cruickshank2. 'Jamaica AIDS Support for Life,
Targeted Interventions, St. Ann, Jamaica, 2Jamaica AIDS Support for Life,
Targeted Interventions, Kingston, Jamaica
Issues: "This study examines the Stigma, Discrimination and marginalization
faced by Sex Workers and the Gay Lesbian and Bisexual community
(GLABCOM) in Jamaica. In response to the issues of the communities, Jamaica
AIDS Support for Life delivers non - judgemental programmes and activities
for the Gay Lesbian and Bisexual community, Sex Workers and other target
groups considered to be at high risk for contracting HIV/AIDS. A holistic
approach impacting the educational, personal, social, cultural and economic
developments of the individual is adopted, with an aim to promote community
response to HIV/AIDS.
Description: Findings gathered by way of the World Wide Web, Jamaica AIDS
Support for Life and the print media archives has shown that sex work is on
the rise in Jamaica with no given class boundaries and as a result one has to
examine closely the growing competitive market and its effects in relation to
HIV/AIDS. The Gay Lesbian and Bisexual community are continuously faced
with challenges in their direct home environment, communities and the society
which drives them further "underground" especially since their battle is a legal
one.
Lessons learned: Behaviour change is achievable and evident in the
communities more so the sex work community through the work that
Jamaica AIDS Support continues to do. The need for more widescale support
of these groups and the leverage to be accepted as contributing members
within our society will allow for more effective health and behaviour change
communication.
Recommendations: To mitigate the impact that HIV/AIDS is having on the
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and the sex work community then policy formulation
and the legal framework in Jamaica has to allow for protection of the rights of
the members of these marginalized communities."
MOPE0991
Prostitution in Europe and need for holistic
strategies
L. Brussa. TAMPEP International Foundation, European Coordination Centre,
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Issues: Prostitution in Europe is a transnational phenomenon with common
issues: the rapid development of prostitution, the specific forms in which it
is organised, presence of local and mobile sex workers, the extreme mobility
of various groups of migrant sex workers and the presence of local or foreign
criminal organisations that organise and control the market.
The various levels of vulnerability of sex workers, undermine the sex workers'
chance to implement a strategy of self-protection (for their health and well
being) and autonomy in performing their activities as sex workers while at the
same time form a barrier for the practices of safe sex.
Description: Policies on prostitution are repressive, moralising and controlling,
excluding sex workers from discussions and decisions around policy and
legislation. The marginalised and often illegal status of the sex industry has
led to the social exclusion of sex workers. Health and social care cannot be
effectively provided within a repressive or judgemental framework. The
pressure of repressive legislation, excludes CSW from the legal, social, and
health care facilities available to general population.
Lessons learned: In the new reality of prostitution, it is essential to develop
holistic strategies on interventions covering different areas: HIV/STI prevention,
health promotion, legal and social framework and human rights protection.
Interventions should be non-judgemental and non-authoritarian and operate
within an ethical framework that is respectful of the civil and human rights of all
sex workers. Heath promotion and social inclusion initiatives, which are mindful
of sex workers rights, whose focus is on societal and individual harm reduction,
while accepting the individuals right to self determine.
Recommendations: A broad spectrum of community based initiatives,
directed at empowerment of of sex workers, can have a major impact on
primary prevention inasmuch as it allows sex workers more scope in their
contractual position with clients, brothel owners and pimps.
M0PE0992
HIV testing and short-term entry to Canada:
recommendations for human rights-based reform to
immigration policy
R. Elliott', L. Stoltz2, L. Samson', L. Binder, A. Kleins. 'Canadian HIV/AIDS
Legal Network & Ministerial Council on HIV/AIDS, Toronto, Canada, "Goodman
and Carr, Toronto, Canada, "Ministerial Council on HIV/AIDS, Ottawa, Canada,
"Ministerial Council on HIV/AIDS, Toronto, Canada, "Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal

Network, Toronto, Canada
Issues: Under Canadian immigration law, someone may be "medically
inadmissible" if she or he is likely to endanger public health or might reasonably
be expected to place "excessive demand" on publicly-financed health or social
services. Persons living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) are not considered a public
health threat, and Canada does not bar short-term entry by PHAs. As of 2005,
the "temporary resident" (TR) visa application no longer requires disclosure of
HIV-positive status for short-term entry, but immigration officials may order

XVI INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE * 13-18 AUGUST 2006 * TORONTO CANADA * ABSTRACT BOOK VOLUME 1