Martins D, Gravato N, Marcondes RC, Duarte NF, Ferreira ML, Vilar C, D'Angelo LA, Alonso LB; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1996 Jul 7-12; 11: 415 (abstract no. Th.D.5050).
University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Fax: 55-11-575-6427.
Issues: Results of focus group discussion with CSWs in order to assess intervention program to prevent STD/HIV infection. Project: An educational intervention with CSWs has been developed by AIDSCAP/FHI in partnership with Santos Municipal Health Secretariat since August 1993. This project using outreach health agents and multifaceted behavior change communication includes street theater to increase sex workers' access to STD clinics, promote safer sex and organize prostitutes to exercise their citizenship. Eight focus group involving 60 CSWs were conducted in order to evaluate qualitatively the intervention. The subjects discussed in the groups were CSWs' lifestyle, AIDS prevention, relationship with partners, social organization and intervention assessment. Results: CSWs perceive themselves at health risk for HIV infection and AIDS but are less informed and aware of their personal risk for STDs. In this context condom is considered very important to be used regularly during sexual intercourse. However there are many situations in which HIV infection prevention does not occur, such as: when the client pays more for condom not to be used, when CSWs are drunk or under drug use. Moreover condom is not used when the client is "well-known" or they trust and love their boyfriend or their live-in partner. CSWs perceive their activities as being underground and this is an obstacle to their social organization. The intervention program is regarded as very valuable not only to inform about AIDS and STD prevention but also because of the holistic support it offers to CSWs day by day problems. Commonly these problems are discussed during counseling sessions by the outreach workers. Lessons Learned:1.Although CSWs have risk perception in loving and commercial relationships their sexual prevention behaviors differs, unsafe sexual intercourse still takes place with their non commercial partners. 2.Love/affection is an important barrier for HIV/AIDS/STDs prevention in this target group. 3.HIV/AIDS/STDs prevention activities need urgently to address proper strategies to internalize the adoption of HIV/AIDS prevention practices among CSWs with non-commercial partners.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Brazil
- Condoms
- Condoms, Female
- Focus Groups
- HIV
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Infection
- Physical Examination
- Prostitution
- Safe Sex
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- methods
- therapy
Other ID:
UI: 102221223
From Meeting Abstracts