Social workers are in a pivotal position in the community to serve a public health role in the prevention and early detection of HIV and AIDS. Prior research suggests that social workers may not be prepared to adequately address HIV-related issues in their practice. This study examined worker HIV-related knowledge, comfort, and practice behaviors relevant to HIV prevention and early detection in the present context of the disease. A one time, cross-sectional survey method was employed for this study. Six hundred Licensed Social Workers (LSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) in the state of Illinois were randomly chosen and sent a survey questionnaire. A total of 308 questionnaires were returned for a final response rate of 51.3 percent. The sample was representative with regards to demographic characteristics. Findings suggest that most respondents provided minimal to no HIV-related services in their practice. Over 78 percent (N=200) of clinical social workers in the sample had not completed an HIV-related history with any of their client population. Social workers providing services in children and youth settings and in schools were less likely to provide certain HIV-related services than workers in other settings (children and youth, r=-. 151, p=.016; school social work, r=-.144, p=.022). Logistic regression revealed a statistically significant relationship between HIV/AIDS training and education and risk assessment practices. Social workers who had received prior HIV training were more likely to conduct HIV risk assessments with their client population (75.0% versus 25.0%, p=.002). Other findings and their implications will be discussed. See www.uic.edu/depts/matec/
Learning Objectives: Learning objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe a minimum of five practice skills that are necessary for social work practitioners to serve in a public health role in their community with regards to HIV/AIDS. 2. Explain the present professional response to the epidemic with regard to worker knowledge, practice, comfort, and preparedness to address HIV/AIDS in his/her practice setting. 3. Assess a new client for HIV risk, using a brief risk assessment and history taking method. 4. Articulate information concerning HIV prevention, disease transmission, and HIV antibody testing to clients in their agency setting. Teaching objectives: 1. During this session, faculty will describe research that assessed social workers' HIV-related knowledge, comfort, and practice behaviors, and the effect of HIV/AIDS training on these variables. 2. During the session, faculty will provide training to participants on how to conduct a brief risk assessment and history taking procedure to identify clients at risk for HIV or infected with the disease. 3. During the session, faculty will discuss the value of HIV/AIDS curriculum in graduate schools of social work.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Health Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center (MATEC)
Jane Addams College of Social Work
University of Illinois at Chicago
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.