Document 2056
 DOCN  M94A2056
 TI    A sense of belonging: a program of education and support for men of
       Asian cultures who have sex with other men, in Sydney, Australia.
 DT    9412
 AU    Landicho AD; AIDS Council of NSW, Sydney, Australia.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):391 (abstract no. PD0172). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370519
 AB    OBJECTIVES: To provide safe sex, HIV/AIDS education and support for
       Asian men who have sex with men living in the Sydney metropolitan area.
       To develop and sustain safe sex behaviour among the members of the
       target group. The project uses group based interventions and peer
       education emphasising self-esteem, sexual negotiation skills and
       building a sense of belonging to a culturally sensitive and supportive
       peer community. METHODS: The project runs a weekly support group meeting
       for Asian men who have sex with men, together with self-development
       weekends and facilitator training workshops for members and volunteers.
       The ongoing weekly social/support group allows members to explore issues
       which they as Asian men living in a Western culture have to deal with.
       The weekly meetings and the workshops provide members with information
       about issues like sexuality, safe sex, HIV/AIDS and other STDs,
       self-esteem, gay community, coming out and sexual identity. The project
       also produces a quarterly newsletter. It is to be noted that in all
       aspects of the project and its activities, the diversity in cultural and
       religious experiences of the members are taken into consideration.
       RESULTS: The development of a large network of Asian men who have sex
       with men within the Sydney metropolitan area who are informed and aware
       about safe sex and HIV/AIDS issues. Targeting cultural minority groups
       within the wider gay community is a difficult task, but using strategies
       which address their major issues in ways that are culturally sensitive
       and appropriate help facilitate this process. DISCUSSION AND
       CONCLUSIONS: By using a holistic and culturally appropriate approach to
       peer based education when dealing with culturally diverse men who have
       sex with men, coupled with a supportive environment, changes to sexual
       behaviour and practices can be achieved. The project has had a
       tremendous impact on the creation of a more positive image of being gay
       and Asian in a Western environment--a positive image which is essential
       in bringing about changes.
 DE    Acculturation  Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/
       PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  Adult  Asia/ETHNOLOGY  Ethnic
       Groups/*PSYCHOLOGY  *Health Education  Homosexuality/*PSYCHOLOGY  Human
       HIV Infections/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/PSYCHOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  Male  New
       South Wales  Sex Education  *Social Identification  *Social Support
       MEETING ABSTRACT

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