AEGiS-15IAC: Gender, human rights and ethical aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention in the Philippines revisited.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Gender, human rights and ethical aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention in the Philippines revisited.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. E10264)

Tayag JG
University, Manila, Philippines

BACKGROUND: This is a study of research projects and i ntervention projects on HIV/AIDS prevention since its start in the early part of the 1990s. The objectives are to see whether there are changes in the considerationof ethics, human rights and gender re HIV/AIDs prevention and the effects of such. in the early 1990s when we first started intervention work, there were no such considerations. Looking back now, were we violative or observant of such issues. Looking forward, are we doing better now with what effects. Methods used: Case studies, and case analysis, supplemented by in-depth interviews.

RESULTS: some 30 studies, intervention programs on HIV/AIDS prevention were looked into over a 10 year period and analyzed for ethics, human rights and gender components. As much as possible, there was random sampling based on a listing of the AIds Society of the Philippines, if not always possible, we went purposive but seeing to it that most intervention work, and by important agencies, government institutions, NGOs and civil society were included. IF there were no definitive discussion and inclusion of such issues, was there at least inchoate inclusion, and not so blatant violations. The results show that in the beginning, of the decade, indeed there was not much concern and even some violations of privacy, not asking for informed consent, even human rights and gender violations. But NGOs have done a lot to make the public and all groups working on HIV/AIDS to be aware of such issues. There is more gender awareness, human rights concern and ethical issues largely due to NGO advocacy.

CONCLUSION: Although a dent has been made in being more gender sensitive, being more human rights and ethical-concerned, still violations continue. There is need for greater dissemination of information and the internalization of such values.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Human Rights, HIV Infections, Philippines, Government Agencies, Research, Public Policy, Humans, Ethics, prevention & control, ethics

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E10264