AEGiS-14IAC: Advocacy: Patient to patient treatment information.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Advocacy: Patient to patient treatment information.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. G12498)

Kokkas K, de Clercq K, Houyez F
EATG, Athens, Greece

ISSUES: COPE (COntinuous Patient Education) functions as an umbrella for projects of specific treatment information to new target groups in Europe. COPE detects gaps in information, in specific countries and HIV populations, and responds to those needs by collaborating with national NGOs to develop appropriate resources (books, videos etc). The group educates HIV+ people on health management issues.

DESCRIPTION: COPE brings information highlighted by local NGOs as necessary in their language, in order to raise awareness and skills within a setting where information is lacking or non-existent. COPE ran a pilot program with three NGOs from Eastern Europe (YUG, RUS, LAT). An informative leaflet ("Introduction to Combination Therapy", i-base publications) was to be translated in the respective national languages. At the end of one year, the original project was accomplished, as well as being printed in SLK and CZ. The second phase (HIV management in pregnancy) is being translated in MAC. A NAM Treatment booklet series is being translated now into 5 Eastern European languages. An HCV booklet by Abraco in P is being translated and distributed in E and I. Accompanying questionnaires ask the reader about the relevance and importance of this information.

ISSUES: The European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG) covers the translating and printing expenses, while the local NGOs ensure the distribution, to NGOs and health centers. For this to work, the need must come from the local NGO. It will not work for the EATG to try to spot needs and fill gaps, independent of local NGOs.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Because of the need for basic HIV information, especially in E Europe, it would be good to systematically review what is available and what not country by country, while even in Southern Europe, more advanced information, like HIV coinfection with HCV needs to be distributed. The results of the usefulness of these information packets will be discussed at length in Barcelona.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Translating, Europe, Language, Ethnic Groups, Europe, Eastern, Human, Female, Pregnancy, therapy

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G12498