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On issues ranging from acute HIV infection
to community-research collaboration to families
living with AIDS, HIV Center investigators
presented their research findings at major
conferences in Sydney, Australia and
Marseilles, France.
 At the Fourth International AIDS Society (IAS)
Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and
Prevention in Sydney, Australia,
Robert
Remien, Ph.D. presented on the issue of
"Sexual Behavior of Acutely HIV-infected
Individuals in Six U.S. Cities, Pre- and
Post-Diagnosis: Potential of Acute Testing as an
HIV Intervention" (abstract). Remien concluded
that acute HIV infection can serve as a behavioral
intervention, as it appears to promote an
immediate decrease in sexual behavior, number
of sex partners, and serodiscordant partnering
as well as increased condom use."
At the same conference,
Alex Carballo-Diéguez, Ph.D., offered a
presentation on "Rectal Douches or Enemas:
Implications For Rectal Microbicides (abstract). "Douching behavior is highly
popular among men at highest risk for HIV
transmission. More research is needed on
harmless douches," argued Carballo-Dieguez.
 In Marseilles, France, HIV Center investigators
presented at the 8th International Conference
on Biopsychosocial Aspects of HIV Infection,
also called "AIDS Impact."
Joyce
Hunter, D.S.W., offered a workshop on
"Ethical Challenges in International Coalition
Building," (abstract) with
David Lounsbury, Ph.D. Issues discussed
included the need for trust and transparency
among members, managing transitions, securing
resources, managing timeframes, and acquiring
funding.
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Another session at AIDS Impact was presented
by
Shari L. Dworkin, Ph.D., entitled:
"Integrating Microfinance Programs and
HIV/AIDS Prevention: Global Debates, Needs, and
Evidence" (abstract). Dworkin noted that
researchers argue that poverty and gender
inequality exacerbate the spread of HIV/AIDS
and that economic empowerment can therefore
assist in the prevention and mitigation of the
disease, particularly for women. Few
researchers have developed interventions that
merge economic programs with HIV/AIDS
prevention. The presentation examined the
promise and limits of the integration of
HIV/AIDS programs and microfinance programs.
 Also in Marseilles,
Theo
Sandfort, Ph.D. presented on "Homosexual
and Bisexual Labels and Behaviors among Men:
The Need for Clear Conceptualizations, Accurate
Operationalizations, and Appropriate
Methodological Designs" (abstract). "To get a
better understanding of homosexual and bisexual
practices, both in terms of behaviors and
personal and social meanings, clear conceptual
definitions are needed," he argued. Sandfort
also presented on "The Need for In-depth
Epidemiological Research on South African MSM"
(abstract). He argued that research "is
essential for the identification of target
groups and the development of effective
interventions that take into account the
experience world of those involved."
 Recently graduated HIV
Center fellow
Stephanie Marhefka presented in Marseilles on "'They might
get it- and I can't tell them I have it':
Understanding sexual behaviors of girls living
with perinatally acquired HIV" (abstract). Marhefka noted that: "Some girls living with
perinatal HIV may delay sexual debut due to HIV
transmission concerns. Others may explore their
sexuality with incomplete knowledge of
transmission risks and insufficient skills for
negotiating safer sex." She also presented a
poster presentations at the Harvard University
Center for AIDS Research Symposium and Poster
Session: "Developing CHAMP+: A
Consumer-Informed Family-Based Approach to
Promoting Resilience in Perinatally Infected
Youth" (abstract). |
