AEGiS-14IAC: Information and prevention of AIDS and hepatitis in the Asian community in Paris and its suburbs: examples of work done by ARCAT.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Information and prevention of AIDS and hepatitis in the Asian community in Paris and its suburbs: examples of work done by ARCAT.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. TuOrC1220)

Lin TW, Etchepare C, Faucher JM
ARCAT, Paris, France

The Asian population living in Paris and the surrounding areas is made up, in large part, of people who only speak Mandarin. Living in a closed milieu, this is a vulnerable population due to the language barrier, a tradition of secretiveness, tabus such as se and sexually-transmitted diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis. It seems even more isolated because of these tabus. In addition, information, prevention, and easy access to care is almost nonexistent. Since 1998, Arcat has been the only association to disseminate information on AIDS and hepatitis to a large population associated with approximately 20 religious associations of Chinese people. Arcat has also intervened in the domaine of instruction, sports, and the arts.

METHOD: 25 directors of Chinese associations were contacted. Because of reticence about tabus, it was decided to open up the discussion with viral illnesses first and then treat hepatitis and AIDS. Information about getting health care was presented. After the sessions, the association directors created teams to facilitate the circulation of information. Arcat led ten information sessions a year in Chinese and reached 250 people. Documents in French and Chinese were written (flyers on AIDS, on Hepatitis C and on Education). In 2001, 5000 flyers on AIDS were disseminated as well as 300 posters, 300 calendars, 20000 sets of chopsticks destined for Chinese people. Ten articles on AIDS appeared in 2 journals of 35000 copies, and two radio spots were produced. 204 calls came in and there were 38 accompanied visits to hospitals of to diagnostic centers.

CONCLUSION: Information disseminated to the heart of the Chinese community which was adopted to the Mandarin language gave rise to interest about HIV and AIDS, despite some initial hesitation. This project necessitates a great deal of time to develop a sense of confidence within the Chinese community.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Hepatitis, Work, HIV Seropositivity, Virus Diseases, Paris, prevention & control

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TuOrC1220