The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

5106.0: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 - 12:45 PM

Abstract #60724

Missed Opportunities: Prevention with HIV-Infected Patients in Ryan White CARE Act Clinics

Stephen Morin, PhD1, K.A. Koester1, Andre Maiorana, MPH1, Marisa McLaughlin1, Janet Myers, PhD, MPH2, W.T. Steward3, Jim O Kahn, MD3, and Margaret Chesney, PhD1. (1) Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, 74 New Montgomery #600, San Francisco, CA 94105, 415-597-9100, smorin@psg.ucsf.edu, (2) National HIV/AIDS Clinicians' Consultation Center/SFGH, University of California, San Francisco, 995 Potrero Avenue, Bldg. 80-83, San Francisco, CA 9411, (3) AIDS Policy Research Center, ARI, University of California, San Francisco, 74 New Montgomery Street, #600, San Francisco, CA 94105

With the advent of more effective treatments, people living with HIV are living longer, healthier and more sexually active lives. Prevention programs with HIV-positive patients in health care settings are one response to the challenge of preventing further transmission. This presentation reports on findings from a study assessing current prevention practices in Ryan White CARE Act funded primary care settings and on barriers to providing these services. Interviews regarding services received were conducted with 618 HIV-positive patients after exiting a primary care visit at 16 clinics in 9 states from January 2001 to March 2002. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 16 clinical administrators, 32 primary care providers, 32 support service providers, as well as 64 patients recruited from the 16 clinics. One-quarter of participants reported have a general discussion of “safer sex and ways to prevent transmission to others” during that day’s primary care visit. However, only 6% reported discussing specific sexual activities. Twenty-one percent of sexually active patients reported being worried that they may have given HIV to someone else in the last six months. Clinics differed significantly in the provision of prevention services. Barriers to providing prevention services identified included lack of time, training, funding for staffing, and providers’ understanding of their roles and responsibilities. The concept of “prevention with positives” is not clearly understood or defined in most clinics, and such services are not routinely provided on an ongoing basis.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Ryan White, Prevention

Related Web page: ari.ucsf.edu/policy/pwp.htm

Awards: Excellence in Abstract Submission among All Presenters--Award Winner - Winner

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.

Prevention

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA