Significant results achieved by three safe sex mass media campaigns in Russian Federation proved by knowledge, attitude, behavior survey conducted in 2001.
Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. D11098)
Alexeeva EG Foundation for Civic Initiatives Support Focus, Moscow, Russian Federation
The Russian Federation is experiencing a massive outbreak of HIV infections among its population. The Russian Federal Aids Center predicts 5.000.000 HIV infections at the end of 2005. During the last four years, HIV has spread most quickly among injecting drug users (due to equipment sharing without proper sterilization) and is now spreading toward the general population through sexual transmission. High rates of sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis, indicate a high level of unprotected sex. The most affected group is young people between 15-29 years old, accounting for 90 percent of reported HIV-infected cases. To slow down the spread of HIV/AIDS epidemic in Russian Federation the initial mass media campaign promoting safe sex and condom use was launched in the Russian Federation in 1997 by MSF-H. Since 1998 mass media campaigns have been executed by the national, non-governmental organization Foundation for Civic Initiatives Support FOCUS in close collaboration with Russian health authorities. Research has been an integral part of the development of the mass media campaigns strategies. Knowledge, Attitude, Behaviour, and Practice (KABP) survey in 1997 that served as a source of information for the first campaign strategy. Subsequent campaigns were accompanied by similar surveys that evaluated the campaign results and suggested ideas for the next one. Significant increase in knowledge, change of attitude and behavior of young people in Russian Federation has been achieved by three campaigns in Russia, which was proved by comparative KAPB survey conducted in 2001. Condom use doubled since 1998, society's tolerance toward discussion safe sex issues increased. The main results of the survey and future strategy for continuation of the mass media campaigns will be presented.
Keywords: AEGIS, Safe Sex, Data Collection, Knowledge, Attitude, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, HIV, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Communications Media, Syphilis, Mass Media, Russia, Diagnosis
