Claude C; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1996 Jul 7-12; 11: 142 (abstract no. We.C.3481).

Action Sero Zero, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Fax:(514)281-8004.

Issue: In 1992, the first coordinated and sustained prevention project was begun in Montreal saunas by Sero Zero. The project works in close collaboration with several of the 14 saunas in the Montreal area. Men frequent these establishments for anonymous sexual contacts as well as for other reasons. Many bisexual men or men who do not frequent the gay community social outlets frequent the saunas; other means to reach them have not been successful. This poster presentation will outline the activities and the directions to be undertaken by the project following an evaluation. Project: The principal objective of the programme, Au sauna. on s'emballe*, is to help to create a more supportive safer sex environment for men using these facilities. It undertook several initiatives including distribution of educational materials, poster production and distribution, training employees, and organizing special events. Results: The programme works with saunas that represent 50% of the available roomettes in saunas in Montreal. Examples of some of the products elaborated especially for the saunas will be shown. An evaluation of the programme showed that there was virtually no hostility to the interventions; more than 90% of the clients thought that the saunas were a good place to do prevention education (100% of employees agreed). Lessons learned: When a well-structured and coherent plan is presented to them, owners of saunas are ready to cooperate fully. Every effort should be made to integrate them and their staffs into the planning and execution of the projects. Material should be clear, consise and respectful of social and cultural differences. * The title means both "In the sauna. we cover ourselves" and In sauna. we have fun.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Baths
• Bisexuality
• Communication
• Counseling
• Demography
• Educational Status
• Health Planning
• Homosexuality
• Homosexuality, Male
• Humans
• Male
• Steam Bath
• education
• therapy

Other ID:

• 96923824

UI: 102219723

From Meeting Abstracts