AEGiS-06IAC: Information campaign for the prevention of HIV-1 infection in prisoners in the province of Rome.

6th International AIDS Conference

San Francisco, California, USA — June 20-23, 1990

Information campaign for the prevention of HIV-1 infection in prisoners in the province of Rome.

Int Conf AIDS 1990 Jun 20-23; 6:346 (abstract no. Th.D.883)
Turbessi G, D'Offizi GP, Mezzaroma I, Luzi G, Boccella P, Aiuti F; National Association for AIDS (ANLAIDS), Rome, Italy

OBJECTIVE: The information campaign carried out by ANLAIDS in closed communities such as schools or prisons was shown to be very profitable. There are today about 36,000 prisoners in Italian jails including 6,000-8,000 drug users. In 1989 a series of seminars on HIV-1 infection in the 9 prisons belonging to the province of Rome were organized by the ANLAIDS.

METHODS: These meetings were illustrated by slides showing the various aspects of the infection (transmission, therapy, behaviour guidelines) and questions were put to the speakers (a physician and a psychologist) by the prisoners.

RESULTS: 87% of the questions regarded virus transmission and the difference between subjects with HIV-1 infection and those with AIDS. A percentage of questions (45%) regarded the origin of the infection and precautions to be taken. Most of prisoners (81%) said they would prefer to know the number of seropositive subjects in the cells while about 10% of the questions were put by the prison wardens about the risks they might run in possible clashes with seropositive prisoners.

CONCLUSIONS: Jails have a strong depressive and anxiety provoking atmosphere, thus a correct and well-aimed information campaign can improve the well-being of all prisoners.

Keywords: AEGIS, Prisoners, HIV Infections, Prisons, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Rome, prevention & control, ICA6

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ThD883