Marseille 2007
| Abstract #199 - Building resilience to prevent the transmission of HIV in Maori and other indigenous peoples | ||||
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Session: 26.58: Posters B (Poster) on Tuesday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Dr Clive Aspin - University of Auckland, New Zealand |
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| Additional Authors: Dr Clive Aspin, | ||||
| Aim: After twenty-five years of dealing with the impact of HIV/AIDS, indigenous peoples continue to face significant challenges related to the epidemic | ||||
| Method / Issue: In some countries, indigenous peoples have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS and this raises important questions about how to reduce the disparities that exist between indigenous and non-indigenous people. In Canada, for example, the indigenous people of that country account for 20% of HIV diagnoses yet they make up only 5% of the population. In Australia and New Zealand, indigenous peoples have been identified as being vulnerable to HIV infection. In both these countries, the indigenous populations have disproportionately higher rates of sexually transmitted infections and this contributes to their vulnerability to HIV. With rising rates of HIV around the world, indigenous peoples are likely to face a range of ongoing challenges associated with the AIDS epidemic. | ||||
| Results / Comments: In recognition of the fact that indigenous peoples have much to learn from one another, an international cross-country research collaboration was established. The purpose of the collaboration is to investigate resilience and the extent to which this provides protection against HIV infection within indigenous communities. Historically, resilience has played a major role in overcoming disease and illness among indigenous peoples and this provides an important precedent for overcoming the challenges posed by the AIDS epidemic. | ||||
| Discussion: Preliminary investigations in New Zealand indicate that Maori have inherent resilient qualities that need to be taken into account when designing HIV prevention strategies.This presentation will describe strategies for enhancing the resilience of indigenous communities to confront and overcome the impact of HIV/AIDS. As well, suggestions for integrating these into HIV prevention programmes will be proposed. While focusing on Maori, the indigenous people of Zealand, these strategies have relevance and applicability for indigenous peoples of other countries as well. | ||||
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