GNR-MENA Thematic Conversation Summary
Middle East Studies Association Annual Meeting
Washington DC
November 19th- 22nd, 2005
Summary written by:
Angel M. Foster, DPhil, AM
Ibis Reproductive Health
At the 2005 Middle East Studies Association annual meeting, 28 scholars, researchers, and practitioners discussed issues related to HIV/AIDS in the Middle East and North Africa. Dr. Sandy Sufian and founder of GNR-MENA organized a thematic conversation entitled "Meeting the needs of a neglected region: A newly established global network of researchers on HIV/AIDS in the Middle East and North Africa." The two hour meeting included informal presentations by five GNR-MENA members and a probative discussion lead by Dr. Ellen Amster, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Dr. Sufian, University of Illinois-Chicago, opened the meeting and provided a brief overview of the history and the purpose of the GNR-MENA. Dr. Angel Foster, Ibis Reproductive Health, provided a summary of Ibis' multi-country research projects dedicated to unmarried women's sexual health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors and the reproductive health content of medical education (including HIV and STIs). Dr. Foster also discussed Ibis' experience in developing multi-modal training materials on reproductive health issues for both providers and potential users of services. Dr. Debra Budiani, University of Pennsylvania then presented the results of her recent research with refugee and displaced populations in Egypt. Dr. Budiani focused on the experiences of Somali and Sudanese communities and described a number of barriers to access to HIV/AIDS information, preventive services, and treatment. Ms. Louise Lambert, University of Warnborough followed with a discussion of HIV/AIDS in the UAE. Ms. Lambert provided a detailed overview of the legal status of HIV/AIDS patients in the UAE and described her efforts at raising awareness among and providing accurate information to health service professionals and social workers.
In the second portion of the session, the geographical focus shifted to Iran. Dr. Kamiar Alaei, Harvard University and Kermanshah University, provided participants with an overview of the evolution of HIV epidemiological research and service delivery in Iran. Dr. Alaei highlighted a number of the initial challenges to obtaining information about HIV prevalence and discussed mechanisms by which the research, medical, and public health communities have collaborated to overcome these barriers. Dr. Navid Madani, Harvard Medical School, followed with a presentation the need for increased basic science research on HIV, both in general and in the Middle East and North Africa specifically. Dr. Madani also discussed her involvement with public health efforts and health service provider education in Iran and emphasized the importance of institutional collaboration.
The ensuing discussion was lively and engaged. As discussant, Dr. Amster
framed a number of questions to the group of presenters, queried the rationale
for focusing on the respective study populations, and identified several
themes. Of note, participants and presenters discussed possible mechanisms
for increasing public awareness about HIV/AIDS in the region, including
raising awareness through different types of media and working with community
and religious leaders. Participants also discussed whether or not the
program in Iran could be replicated or serve as a model in other parts
of the region. Participants reported being invigorated by the session
and there was consensus that there was both a need for additional research
and enthusiasm for future meetings and conferences.