14th International AIDS Conference Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. F11802)

Romero MI, Hernandez H, Lopez VM, Arredondo A, Zubarew T, Parra V, Villarroel L, Artigas F
Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile

BACKGROUND: FONOSIDA, an HIV hotline, was implemented by the National Commission on AIDS in 1997 to provide counselling and information for the general population. OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of callers, motives and information sought, risk behaviour and outcomes.

METHODS: Data from the FONOSIDA database were analysed using Access, EpiInfo 6.04, and SPSS. Chi square tests were applied when appropriate.

RESULTS: An average of 5,000 calls/month were registered in 2001, increasing after the mass media campaign in November (11,740 calls). 70.4% of callers identifying sex were male, 29.6% female. The average age was 24. The hotline was most utilised by those age 15- 24 (57%) and young adults 25-34 (26.7%). 72.9% of callers identified as heterosexual, 6.6% bisexual and 20.4% homosexual. 33% of male callers that identified sexual orientation were MSM. 54.7% of callers sought general information. Among men, 40% asked questions related to their own risk behaviours, but women more frequently asked about risk related to their partner's behaviour (6.2% women, 1.7% men). Most sought information about transmission and prevention (53%). Men were more likely to ask about condom use: 12% men, 3% women. 67% of callers that provided information on sexual behaviour said they had more than one partner; (47% female and 74% male). Among male callers engaging in MSM, 22.2% reported sexual relations with unknown male partners. 34.2% of females reported sexual relations with unknown men. The professional operators deliver information 59%, evaluate risk behaviours 29%, provide professional counselling 9% and emotional support 3.2% of the time.

CONCLUSIONS: Individuals were motivated to call the hotline by fears of contracting HIV from risk behaviors or to seek general information. Mass media plays an important role in disseminating information about the hotline, which answers to a high risk population providing needed confidential/anonymous counseling.

020707
F11802

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