Document 2053
 DOCN  M94A2053
 TI    The Australian Sauna and Sex on Premises Venues Project.
 DT    9412
 AU    Toomey M; Crooks L; Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, Sydney.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):391 (abstract no. PD0173). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370522
 AB    OBJECTIVE: The Australian Sauna and Sex on Premises Venues Project
       (SOPV) is an education project linking government, community
       organisations and businesses in a partnership to reduce HIV
       transmission, promote HIV/AIDS awareness and understanding, and develop
       SOPV industry standards and forms part of Australia's recognised and
       successful AIDS strategy. METHODS: It recognises SOPV as vital access
       points for HIV prevention where transmission may occur. Development of a
       set of industry guidelines (standards which businesses agree to uphold)
       is central to the project. These cover access to: condoms and water
       based lubricant; educational materials and SOPV staff training. RESULTS:
       Cooperation with SOPV's is essential to reducing HIV transmission and
       more effective than closing venues and forcing men who have sex with men
       into less accessible areas where the capacity for education is severely
       diminished. Every SOPV in Australia has participated and is now an
       important part of the HIV prevention and education network by providing
       free and accessible condoms and water based lubricant to customers where
       sex happens. Existing staff have received education and ongoing
       education is available. Industry standards for maintaining this work
       have been established. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Access to the means
       of HIV prevention where transmission may occur is how HIV is stopped.
       Most effective interventions occur when existing cultures and networks
       are recognised and utilised. SOPV's are part of a network where both
       safe and unsafe practices may occur and working within these structures
       to understand and thus reduce barriers to unsafe practice. This project
       was developed by business proprietors and community representatives, who
       saw each of the aims as essential, it is co-operative rather than
       punitive like some initiatives in the USA. Government support recognises
       the role of SOPV in education.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/  TRANSMISSION
       *Baths, Finnish  Condoms  *Health Education  Health Services
       Accessibility  *Homosexuality  Human  HIV Infections/*PREVENTION &
       CONTROL/TRANSMISSION  Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice  Male  New South
       Wales  Sex Behavior  Sex Education  *Social Environment  MEETING
       ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).