AIDS 2006

HIV in Asia: theological responses and interfaith working, Indonesia introduces the first prison Methadone maintenance treatment in Asia, Youth breaking the ''conspiracy of silence', Explosive epidemic among injecting drug users, New priorities for South Asia, Female condom experiences in Asia and the Pacific, Can Asia learn from Africa?

The following are some Asia related research highlights from the recent AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference. To read further, please enter the Abstract No from the link below.

(1) HIV in Asia: theological responses and interfaith working
Issues: Religious leaders have great power to lessen HIV-related stigma and initiate care for those affected, thus reducing HIV transmission. However, faith leaders in Asia, where prevalence is often comparatively low, need to be equipped with sound theologic...
Abstract no. CDD0677.

(2) Indonesia introduces the first prison Methadone maintenance treatment (PMMT) in Asia
Background: Internationally, at least 50% of injectors have been imprisoned (Ball, A. IDUs in a multi city study WHO 1996). Prisons are characterised by elevated HIV prevalence, widespread injecting risk behaviour and limited HIV prevention programs. Only 20...
Abstract no. TUAX0105.

(3) Internet communications: youth breaking the ''conspiracy of silence'' as Asia learns from Africa
Issues: For many years there exist a “conspiracy of silence” with no less that UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan espousing that in many countries people were denied of information about HIV/AIDS. As Asia comes to face its own nightmare, the continent learns le...
Abstract no. WEPE0668.

(4) Asia: HIV/AIDS explosive epidemic among injecting drug users, the Indonesian response
Issues: Indonesia is well known as one of the countries in Asia where the HIV epidemic is now driven by injecting drug use. IHPCP is a bilateral support project (Indonesian and Australian Governments) that has a key role in the promotion and advocacy for Harm...
Abstract no. WEPE0891.

(5) Regional cooperation in South Asia can help fight spread of HIV/AIDS in South Asia! New priorities for South Asia
Issues: Lack of cooperation and collaboration among the SAARC countries, and the Need to Evolve a Joint/Common Strategy to Fight HIV/AIDS.
Description: India is close to 5 million HIV+ cases, Pakistan´s unofficial HIV cases stand at 80, 000, Nepa...
Abstract no. CDE0546.

(6) Female condom programming experiences in Asia and the Pacific
Issues:
- Despite their proven effectiveness, female condoms are currently underused and undervalued
- Research provides evidence of effectiveness and acceptability; models indicate female condoms as a cost-effective intervention.
- PSI program ma...
Abstract no. WEPE0595.

(7) Integrating HIV/AIDS into emergency responses: the Asian Tsunami
Issues: It is becoming increasingly accepted that disasters and emergency situations increase vulnerability of individuals to HIV infection and make post-emergency situations a fertile ground for the spread of the disease. Recognising this, Save the Children ...
Abstract no. CDE0338.

(8) Community based HIV prevention program for Dharavi, the largest slum in Asia
Issues: Community Based HIV prevention program in Dharavi is limited. With a whole gamut of problems ranging from illiteracy, unemployment, migration, poverty, crime, injecting drug users, shelter, etc, health has never been a priority in Dharavi. Amongst ...
Abstract no. CDC0983.

(9) Poor and rich Asia Oceania: an analysis of statistical differences for six sexual health indicators
Background: The Durex Global Sex Survey was designed by SSL-International in 1996 to better understand sexual behavior globally. In 2005, 41 countries participated in the survey (n=317,000), including 12 countries from Asia Oceania. The survey included 31 que...
Abstract no. WEPE0778.

(10) The "MSM" maze in Asia - getting lost between behaviours and identity
Issues: The term “men who have sex with men” was introduced in recognition that many men who engage in same-sex behaviour don’t identify as homosexual, an appropriate shift from focusing on a socially distinctive “risk group” to addressing behaviours, such as...
Abstract no. CDC1704.

(11) Regional approaches to advance the policy agenda for the reduction of vulnerability to HIV infection among migrants and mobile populations in South East Asia
Issues: The vulnerability to HIV infection among migrants and mobile populations (MMP) in the four Mobility AIDS Partnership (MAP-4) countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam) is increasingly recognised. The MAP-4 governments have signed the regiona...
Abstract no. CDE0396.

(12) Can approaches used in Africa to reduce discrimination and stigma and plan for children´s future be transferred to Asia?
Issues: Healthlink Worldwide is introducing an innovative child-centred HIV communication approach in India. The approach was developed in Africa. Can this approach that has been successful in the African context be transferred to the Asian context and wh...
Abstract no. CDD1069.

(13) HIV sexual transmission among female sex workers in Central Asia
Issues: During last three years the number of new HIV cases attributed to unprotected sexual contact dramatically increased in the Republics of Central Asia.
Description: In 2004, regional AIDS centres reported relatively low rates of sexually
Abstract no. CDC1669.

(14) Human rights and development challenges for south Asian trafficked women
Issues: Women’s trafficking is a thriving trade in South Asia including Pakistan. Today trafficking of women is understood to be a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional and multi-tiered problem. Poverty, lack of employment opportunities, illiteracy, an ineffecti...
Abstract no. TUPE0946.

(15) Hepatitis B and C virus coinfection among patients with HIV in treat Asia HIV observational database
Background: This paper aims to assess hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus coinfection and the impact on response to antiretroviral treatment and overall survival among patients with HIV infection in the TREAT Asia HIV Observational Database (TAHOD)....
Abstract no. TUAB0302.

(16) Sexuality and gender equity interventions can lead to behavior and social change: lessons from Asia
Issues: Over the last two years, CARE has begun to move beyond focusing merely on behavior, to include engagement with communities related to sexuality and women’s rights, recognizing that a range of socio-cultural factors shape how gender is constructed. ...
Abstract no. WEPE0840.

(17) Positive learning: a collaborative framework for ‘AIDS activists’ and ‘education activists’ in the Asia-Pacific
Issues: There are gaps between the AIDS activists and education activists, as each sector has not reached out beyond their own fields to draw in other significant actors to support their advocacy.
Description: A group of AIDS activists and...
Abstract no. TUPE0989.

(18) Media reporting on sexuality and safe sex in selected southeast Asian countries: a content analysis
Background: To have a better understanding on the real situation of media reporting on sexuality and safe sex in Southeast Asia, a comparative study of print media reporting was done. The study reviewed and analyzed the content, trend, and quality of printed ...
Abstract no. WEPE0808.

(19) Crisis in human resources for HIV/AIDS care: emigration of health and medical professionals from Asian and African continents
Issues: WHO estimates that sub-Saharan Africa alone needs at least 1 million new health workers to meet essential health needs. Sustained commitment and creative action are necessary to develop and support the health workforce needed to secure the right to he...
Abstract no. CDE0368.

(20) Introducing naloxone to Central Asia
Issues: Overdose is one of the leading causes of accidental death among youth worldwide, including Central Asia. Situated next to Afghanistan, the world’s main opium-producing country, the countries of Central Asia are experiencing a growing HIV epidemic fue...
Abstract no. CDC1395.

(21) Sparking discourse: south Asian communities speak the unspeakable
Issues: The Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention (ASAAP) is the only AIDS Service Organization serving South Asians in Toronto. Over fifteen years of frontline work with South Asian youth revealed a need to challenge the stigma communities place on sexua...
Abstract no. WEPE0744.

(22) A volunteer-based internet outreach for Asian MSM
Issues: The research study conducted by Asian Community AIDS Services (ACAS) and others confirmed that the Internet was one of the major venues for Asian men to meet their sex partners. iRice, a Cyber recreational and HIV/AIDS/STI educational space was create...
Abstract no. CDC1703.

(23) Challenges and lessons learned from applying respondent driven sampling (RDS) for HIV/AIDS surveillance around the world: Africa, eastern Europe, Latin America and Caribbean (LAC), Asia
Issues: Intravenous Drug User (IDUs), Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), Sex workers are still considered to figure prominently in spreading HIV. They are, therefore, frequently included in surveillance. However, accessing them, drawing unbiased samples have be...
Abstract no. MOPE0473.