HIV/AIDS continues to be a public health issue among the Puerto Rican population. As of February 2000, there were 24,313 confirmed cases of AIDS reported. This placed Puerto Rico fourth in AIDS incidence, with 53.3 cases (100,000 inhabitants).
Epidemiologists have identified three main modes of infection in Puerto Rico. These are injecting drug use (52%), heterosexual contact, specially in women who are sex partners of injecting drug users (21%), and men who have sex with men (17%). Pediatric AIDS cases constitute 1.8% of all cases. (Puerto Rico Department of Health AIDS Surveillance, February 29, 2000).
Puerto Rico is undergoing a comprehensive health reform in the public sector that impact the way health services are delivered to the general population and to HIV positive patients. Many health professionals in the private sector will have to refocus on the management of many conditions (including AIDS) more prevalent in this population.
The Puerto Rico AIDS ETC (PRAETC) is part of the National AIDS Education and Training Centers Program funded through the Ryan White CARE Act that educates Hispanics physicians, nurses, clinical pharmacists, dentists and dental personnel who provides prevention and management of HIV/AIDS in Puerto Rico. Clinical training provides hands on experiences to primary care providers in the managements of HIV/AIDS in puertorrican children, adolescents and adults.
The presentation will focus on strategies and accomplishments of the PRAETC in providing clinical training to Hispanic providers treating Hispanic HIV positive patients.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Hispanic
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.