AEGiS-15IAC: HIV doesn't discriminate ... do you? Overcoming barriers to HIV positive sex, sexuality and sexual health.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

HIV doesn't discriminate ... do you? Overcoming barriers to HIV positive sex, sexuality and sexual health.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10286)

Triffitt KA
People Living With HIV/AIDS (NSW Australia) & Deakin Univ ersity, Melbourne, Australia, Sydney, Australia

ISSUES: Stigma and discrimination affect the quality of life of people with HIV and are major obstacles to effective HIV/AIDS prevention, education and care.

DESCRIPTION: People Living with HIV/AIDS (NSW, Australia) has developed innovative health promotion strategies that raise awareness of the changing issues of HIV within gay and lesbian communities, positive communities and broader communities A challenge to stigma and discriminatory attitudes is recognised as a vital part of HIV prevention efforts and as education strategies for people with HIV with objectives relating to sexual health maintenance and negotiating a fulfilling sex life.

RESULTS: The development of comprehensive health promotion workshops, resource kit and campaigns that assist individuals and communities to overcome barriers to HIV positive sex and sexual health by building community skills, capacity and ownership of health promotion and education resources.

LESSONS LEARNED: HIV health promotion resources and campaigns need to be embedded in everyday life, not set apart as exceptional or extraordinary. Value is placed on community ownership of health and on lived experiences: experiences that make sense of local activities, personal situations, social understandings and cultural meanings.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Sexual Behavior, Sexuality, HIV Seropositivity, Coitus, HIV Infections, Sex, Homosexuality, Residence Characteristics, Homosexuality, Female, Australia, Female, education

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D10286