AEGiS-11IAC: Short-term impact of the holistic model for AIDS prevention in 180 gay/bisexual men in Guatemala City.

11th International AIDS Conference


Vancouver, British Columbia — July 7-12, 1996

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Short-term impact of the holistic model for AIDS prevention in 180 gay/bisexual men in Guatemala City.

Int Conf AIDS 1996 Jul 7-12; 11:485 (abstract no. Pub.D.1305)
Flores B, Mayorga R, Martinez LF; Asociacion de Talleres Holisticos (ATH), Guatemala City, Guatemala.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of the holistic model for AIDS prevention in gay/bisexual men in Guatemala City, detect its strengths and shortcomings in order to make necessary changes and define new strategies for prevention, improving program effectivenes.

METHODS: The holistic model for AIDS prevention was designed in Costa Rica and applied in Guatemala City since November, 1993. One-hundred and eighty gay/bisexual men have attended this ten session workshop. They were contacted through personal networking and evaluated through a pre- and a post-workshop test on attitudes and behaviors that influence AIDS prevention. The results represent changes in the entire population exposed. A comparison between variables' frequencies before and after the workshop was performed and analyzed. Cross-matching of variables was also done.

RESULTS: The population studied was young (mean, 29.2 +/- 5.4 years) and had a degree of schooling much above the national average (90% had at least some university studies). Positive changes representing at least a 10% difference between pre- and post-testing was noticed in well being, self-esteem, subjective knowledge on AIDS, attitudes toward health and prevention of disease, frequency of condom use, attitudes towards condom use (including use within the main relationship), sexual communication skills, acceptance of the sexual orientation, and empowerment. Less important changes were seen in the frequency of codependent relationships with others, receptive anal sex (-2%), and insertive anal sex (-6%). There were slight increases in alcohol and drug use.

CONCLUSIONS: The population studied is not representative of the gay/bisexual population of Guatemala City, but rather of the whole population studied. Positive changes were obtained in most of the issues addressed by the holistic model. However, persistance of these changes is not evaluated. Mid- and long-term follow-up studies must be conducted. This model should be applied and studied in other populations of gay/bisexual men in Guatemala City. In-depth qualitative and quantitative studies must be conducted in order to explain the shortcomings of this model in changing attitudes and practices concerning continued unsafe sex practices and substance use.

Keywords: AEGIS, Bisexuality, Homosexuality, Male, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Sex Behavior, Cities, Safe Sex, Substance-Related Disorders, Self Concept, Follow-Up Studies, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Human, Male, prevention & control, ICA11KWDaegis,bisexuality,homosexuality,male,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,sexbehavior,cities,safesex,substance-relateddisorders,selfconcept,follow-upstudies,guatemala,costarica,human,male,prevention&control,ica11

960707
PubD1305

Copyright © 1996 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.