AEGiS-09IAC: An educational program for the secondary prevention of HIV/AIDS and empowerment of seropositive persons in Lima.

9th International AIDS Conference

Berlin, Germany — June 6-11, 1993

An educational program for the secondary prevention of HIV/AIDS and empowerment of seropositive persons in Lima.

Int Conf AIDS 1993 Jun 6-11; 9:118 (abstract no. WS-D15-5)
Rosasco A; Caceres C. Asoc. VIA LIBRE, Lima, Peru.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an educational intervention aimed at secondary prevention and empowerment of PWHIV in Lima.

METHODS: A weekly four-session program was designed to increase motivation for secondary prevention, provide relevant biomedical/nutritional information, promote safer sex, discuss psychosocial aspects and empower the group for self-advocacy and involvement in the struggle against HIV. Methodology included lectures, discussions, 3 locally developed videos (safe sex and testimonies) and dynamics in 6 to 10-participant groups. A manual summarized the program content. Three questionnaires (pre/post-program and 3-mo follow-up) evaluated knowledge, attitudes (toward self and toward health care prescriptions), behaviors and opinions. Recruitment was done in health care facilities.

RESULTS: Thirty-six participants constituted four groups. Attendance to each of 4 sessions was over 84%. Participants considered to have learned "a lot" about the virus (69%), transmission/prevention (85%), opportunistic infections (69%), nutrition (65%), and safer sex (73%); the program was found to provide clear information (84%), and possibility of active participation (73%), and was rated as good/very good by 100%. Knowledge (p = .02) and attitudes toward self (p = .06) were raised by the program. At follow-up, 83% were under medical care, and 75% were practicing safer sex; 50% were providing support to other PWHIV, and 44% were participating in prevention.

CONCLUSIONS: The program was found to provide useful information, and was very well accepted by PWHIV. It improved knowledge and attitudes, and was associated with a high involvement of participants in self-oriented and community-building activities. Its low cost and ease of implementation justify its use in coordination with other HIV health care services in Lima and similar cities.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Safe Sex, Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Delivery of Health Care, Health Education, Social Behavior, Sex Education, Attitude to Health, Students, Patient Education, Questionnaires, prevention & control, education, ICA9
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