IDENTIFYING BEHAVIORS THAT INCREASE RISK FOR HIV/AIDS AND STI INFECTIONS Belize Family Life Association CONSULTANT DAEDRA ISAACS-HAYLOCK

DEFINING THE PROJECT GOAL:- Identify Risk Behaviors Focus Groups – Youths, Adult Women, MSMs, CSWs Design Media Messages Radio and TV Ads Flyers TARGETS:- Youths and Commercial Sex Workers

DEFINING FOCUS GROUPS Focus Groups low scientific validity fast turn around low cost elastic results/news value indirect interview process 8 to 15 participants – representing characteristics of target group

FOCUS GROUPS Mixed Youth – Youth for the Future 11 youths – 5 females 14 – 26 years Young Women – YWCA 10 young women – 14 to 17 years Adult Women – Women’s Department 8 women + 1 adult male – 20 years above MSMs-- PASMO 6 men – 18 to 20 years CSW – outstanding despite several attempts

FOCUS GROUP OBJECTIVES:- General Information on Sexuality Levels of Exposure/Education Key Risk Behaviors Stigmatization Issues in Need of Addressing Adequacy of Current Outreach.

FOCUS GROUPS General Information on Sexuality:- Mixed Youths – 82% sexually active 70% more than one sexual partners

FOCUS GROUP General Information on Sexuality Young Women 60% are sexually active. One sexual partner at any one time Three currently abstaining One Girl – Sexually Assaulted

FOCUS GROUP General Information on Sexuality Adult Women 88% currently actively sexually involved 100% of the group had been sexually involved during the past 12 months.

FOCUS GROUP General Information on Sexuality MSM – Men Who Have Sex with Men Almost all sexually active - 1 abstaining Possibly both within the homosexual and heterosexual populations. 1 and 5 sexual partners at any one time.

FOCUS GROUPS Level of Exposure/Education on Issue Knowledge of info in public domain Introduced to Condoms as Prevention Knowledge of Agencies in Outreach Discuss the issue with peers, parents, children E.g. One young man introduced to condoms by father E.g. Women discuss condoms and partner reduction with children E.g. One woman teach nine year old daughter how to use a condom

FOCUS GROUP Outstanding Issue Areas Needing Address Infection by?: Kissing – gum disease and bleeding, mouth sores Open Injury to injury Swallowing of bodily fluids Bathroom Usage

FOCUS GROUPS Outstanding Issues Needing Address Men 55 years an above - risk reduces MSM – Risk level during sex Young Women – Female condom difficult to use CONCERN – Requesting condom during sexual assault

FOCUS GROUPS At Risk Behaviors Lack of condom use- Under influence of alcohol Machismo/Bravado Fulltime partner – Trusting Relationship Economic Reliance Fidelity in relationship – Not Into Farming Situation of Sexual Assault MALE PARTNER DICTATED USAGE

FOCUS GROUPS Abstinence & Partner Reduction Woman Thing Not Practical Young Men – Not into Farming MSMs – One currently Abstaining Adult Women – Fidelity in relationship Setting good example Expected role Fear of infection

FOCUS GROUP Usage of Lubricants Across the board the same errors Baby Oil Vaseline Water Saliva A few – KY Jelly or Soft Lube

FOCUS GROUPS Other Sexual Attitudes Men 55 years and above = Safe MSM = Heterosexual Pick up in bars Casual Sex Multiple Partners Recruitment?? Cross Border Relations Hesitancy to Communicate Status

FOCUS GROUPS Stigmatization All groups agreed that stigma and discrimination are still high Education only one step!!

FOCUS GROUP Adequacy of Outreach Media Outreach One-on-One Outreach Life Experiences Cooperation and Collaboration Scare vs. Care Church/State and Sex Education Value System in Outreach

FOCUS GROUP Recommendations Media as Broad Education Tool One-on-One Presentations Scare vs. Care Tighter Collaboration and Cooperation Re-assessment of Value System Re-assessment of Frontline Church/State – Healthy Life-Skills and Sex Education

REDUCE YOUR RISK IT’S YOUR RIGHT!! YOU MAY NEVER GET A SECOND CHANCE