Microbicides 2004 Microbicides 200428-31 March 2004, Hilton London MetropoleThe conference42 million men, women and children worldwide were living with HIV by the end of December 2002 (source: UNAIDS), including five million newly-infected during that year alone. Another 45 million people will become infected between 2002 and 2010, unless the current transmission rates can be vastly reduced. Of the 42 million, 29.4 million live in sub-Saharan Africa and 58% of them are women. Not only are women more susceptible to HIV infection, many are powerless to insist on the use of condoms or other methods of protecting themselves. In this context, and with the knowledge that an effective HIV vaccine is unlikely to be available for several years, the need for an effective topical microbicide grows ever more urgent. 2004 should prove to be a landmark year in the field of microbicide development as the first Phase III trials of novel products are due to start – the next step along the road to making a microbicide available to the millions worldwide in desperate need of protection.The aims of the Microbicides 2004 conference are to:Report novel or innovative work in the microbicides fieldProvide updates on recent microbicides research, divided into three tracks: basic science, clinical science, and behavioural science (including public health and the microbicide marketplace)Provide a forum for the discussion of new developments in microbicide research including ethical, clinical, behavioural and methodological issuesPresent opportunities for knowledge-sharing between microbicide researchers, public-health workers and advocacy organisations.There will be an opening ceremony on the evening of Sunday 28 March at which politicians, policy makers and the international media are expected. The conference will run for a full three days, each of which will contain:Scientific overviews and presentations with plenary sessions, invited lecturers and presentations of original researchWorkshops to review issues unique to microbicides such as trial design and outcome measures, and ethical issues in the clinical trials of microbicidesPoster sessions. Focus on LondonFollowing the successful Microbicides conferences in Washington in 2000 and Antwerp in 2002, March 2004 sees the focus move to London.The venue is the Hilton Metropole Hotel, two minutes by taxi from Paddington station and the Heathrow Express, with a journey time from the airport of 15 minutes. The hotel is in walking distance of Hyde Park and London’s main shopping streets, and close to Imperial College. Accommodation will be available at the venue and other hotels in the vicinity.London in March offers a variety of diversions for out-of-conference relaxation, including sight-seeing and shopping; the arts and the theatre; and pubs, clubs and restaurants to suit every taste. Conference staff will be on hand to help delegates plan their spare time.To book your place or find out more information, e-mail info@microbicides2004.org.uk or telephone the Event Office on +44 (0) 20 7720 4411
Oral: invited speaker Oral: Track A Oral: Track B Oral: Track C Poster: Track A Poster: Track B Poster: Track C Abstract only Authors

02223 PEER EDUCATION IN HIV PREVENTION WITH HIGH RISK YOUTH

Rana Gulzar Ahmad
*AMAL

Objective: One percent of the newly diagnosed STIs and HIV cases in Baluchistan, Pakistan are individuals/youth at risk 8-17 years of age. Our epidemiologists indicate that STIs and HIV cases among Youth increased between 1998 and 2003. While clearly an at-risk demographic, youth are rarely targeted with STIs and HIV prevention education. To empower youth the pilot project at the Youth Empowerment Skills fills that gap by utilizing youth at risk/street children as peer educators administering STIs and HIV prevention programming. Methodology: In thirty-minute Life Skills education sessions, peer educators provide out of school going youth sound, reality-based information that increases their awareness about STDs/HIV and the spread of the virus. Sessions encourage vulnerable youth to recognize how the virus impacts their lives and gives them a forum to discuss the issue with people of their own age. Findings: Launching a Peer Education program, which includes awareness of self and body protection focusing on child sexual abuse and STDs/HIV, life skills, gender and human rights/children rights awareness, preventive health measure, and care at work. Opening care and counseling center for these working and street children and handling these centers over to local communities. During awareness sessions, Youth are informed about the nutrition, physical and psychological changes, masturbation, menstrual cycle, family planning and STDs/HIV. It was determined relationships among HIV related knowledge, beliefs and sexual behavior of young adults and found that reason for unsafe sex included, misconception about disease etiology, conflicting cultural values, risk denial partner pressures, trust and partner significance, accusation of promiscuity, lack of community endorsement of protective measures, and barrier to condom access. In addition socio economic pressure, physiological issues, poor community participation and attitudes, and low education level limited the effectiveness of existing HIV prevention education.

Conclusion: Presentations at centers by peer educators have demonstrated that audiences over 12 years of age typically have only basic information about STIs and HIV. Confusion regarding the difference between HIV and STIs and the specifics of risk related behaviors generated interest in the presentations. Additional conclusions will be drawn as the pilot progresses and administrators tabulate survey results and conduct focus groups with peer educators and participants.

Project Manager, Rana, Gulzar Ahmad
H-9-14/128, Ram Bagh, Zarghon road, Quetta, Pakistan
(Telephone) 9281823340 (Fax) 9281823340 (E-mail) argulzar@yahoo.com