AEGiS-14IAC: Female juvenile prostitution: subsidies to aids prevention programs.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Female juvenile prostitution: subsidies to aids prevention programs.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. D11156)

Silva RC, Simon CP, Paiva VS
Department of Psychology and Education of Ribeirao Preto-- University of Sao Paulo USP, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil

BACKGROUND: In Brazil, HIV/AIDS epidemic assumed characteristics of greater importance in little and middle size municipalities, like Ribeirao Preto, SP (population 480,000 ). It is improbable to expect that social excluded people assume health promotion and disease prevention as relevant attitudes if this does not make sense for their lives. We decided to investigate the aids perception as well as to obtain subsidies for the development of aids prevention programs targeting female juvenile prostitution.

METHODS: Thirteen young females, 18 to 21 years old, professional sex workers in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil, were interviewed. We have used semi-structured interviews focusing on socio-demographic aspects, HIV-related knowledge, relationship with clients and sexual partners, HIV-related sexual behavior as well as suggestions for STD/AIDS prevention programs.

RESULTS: Even though all interviewees had demonstrated HIV-related and safe sexual behavior knowledge, this is contradictory with the belief that "destiny" is determinant for HIV infection and the affectivity seek in their relationships with partners and clients. These contradictions act as possible factors for obstruction of adoption of safe sexual behavior.

CONCLUSIONS: The strategies of HIV/AIDS prevention must take into consideration that is necessary to promote discussions aiming to clarify social imaginary beliefs and concepts about AIDS. In addition, discussions about affective relationships seen as immune should take place once this perception can lead to unsafe sexual practices. Another fundamental issue is the type of approach to be used when contacting the young females. Strategies sensitive to their characteristics should be applied. Supported by: World AIDS Foundation, and FAPESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Sex Behavior, Prostitution, HIV Infections, Sexual Partners, HIV Seropositivity, Health Promotion, Perception, Brazil, Adolescent, Human, Female, prevention & controlKWDaegis,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,sexbehavior,prostitution,hivinfections,sexualpartners,hivseropositivity,healthpromotion,perception,brazil,adolescent,human,female,prevention&control

020707
D11156

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.