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  • Title: Adapting information for Maroons in French Guyana.
    Author: Vernon D.
    Journal: AIDS Health Promot Exch; 1993; (1):4-7. PubMed ID: 12286991.
    Abstract:
    In 1990 in French Guiana, the nongovernmental organization, AIDES-Guyane interviewed Maroon refugees living in camps along the border with Suriname to obtain baseline data on HIV/AIDS. The Maroons consisted of at least the Aluka, Ndjuka, Paramaka, and Saramaka groups. In July 1991, it used findings of this preliminary research to implement an HIV/AIDS education project targeting adults and incorporating traditional healers. A project evaluation occurred in February 1992 consisting traditional healers. A project evaluation occurred in February 1992 consisting of interviews with 197 Maroons living in different areas of French Guiana. Almost 50% had attended at least 1 project session and considered the sessions to be very clear. They also appreciated that the sessions were in their own language. Even though many participants were aware that HIV is not transmitted via bodily contact, they still feared sharing food, clothing, and living space with HIV-positive persons. Nonetheless, they had significantly improved their attitudes toward people infected with HIV. Virtually all the maroons immediately referred to condoms as a means to protect against HIV/AIDS and officially praised condoms. In private, however, the Maroons claimed that condoms reduced pleasure. Some people claimed that condoms were difficult to obtain and embarrassing and difficult to use. Most men carried condoms, evidently because this was fashionable, but rarely used them. Some people doubted that condoms effectively prevented HIV transmission. Men tended to change their strategies of choosing sexual partners, but these strategies overlooked the fact that anyone may carry HIV (e.g., a village girl rather than a nonvillage girl). None of the women ever used condoms. Relationships between traditional healers and biomedical practitioners improved over time. Interviews with 8-10 year olds who listened to sessions through windows and crannies of walls showed that they understood and retained HIV/AIDS information well, sometimes better than did adults. The project aimed to include children in future sessions.
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