Barboza R, Pupo LR, Pluciennik A, Oliveira MP, Monteiro MC, Melo MB, Santos CA, Lazaro JA, Pacca JC, Nemes MI; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. ThPeD5769.
R. Barboza, Sao Paulo State STD/AIDS Programme, Rua Santa Cruz 81, Sao Paulo - SP 04121-000, Brazil, Tel.: +55 11 508 40 777, Fax: +55 11 508 45 236, E-mail: renbar@zaz.com.br
Backgound: The Sao Paulo State STD/AIDS Program evaluated condom distribution through the public health system. Methods: The State of Sao Paulo Health Department has 24 regional offices. Tern regions were selected according to demographic, epidemiological, service complexity and estimated management capacity criteria. Two municipalities were selected in each region and one health service was selected in each municipality. Health professionals responsible for logistics management of condoms in each of these levels were interviewed. Results: The number of distributed condoms is much smaller than what is needed, therefore distribution is based on shortage management. This leads to a first come, first serve situation and there are almost no projects for condom distribution with an epidemiological impact. Condoms are not offered actively, fearing stockouts. Bureaucratic criteria were considered more often than epidemiological criteria. Condom distribution through specialized STD/AIDS centers is better organized than in community health centers: there is definition of priorities, STD/AIDS patients always receive condoms as well as other priority groups. Some community health centers have established a set of priorities for condom distribution but those priorities differ from one center to another, and all are different from the priorities recommended by the State STD/AIDS Program. Prevention actions for STD/AIDS and for women's health in health units are not integrated. Conclusion: It is very important to develop public policies that contribute to increase the adoption of safer sex behavior and condom use. To offer enough condoms to cause an epidemiological impact is a responsibility that should be shared among all levels of the health care system: federal, state and municipal. Civil society and the private sector should be involved as partners in this task.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Brazil
- Condoms
- Delivery of Health Care
- Demography
- Evaluation Studies
- Family Planning Services
- Female
- Health Services
- Humans
- Safe Sex
- methods
- organization & administration
Other ID:
UI: 102242391
From Meeting Abstracts