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

Abstract #62856

David D. Barney, MSW, MPH, PhD, School of Social Work, University of Oklahoma, 1005 S. Jenkins Avenue, #203, Rhyne Hall, Norman, OK 73019, 405 325-1398, dbarney@ou.edu and Tracy Speier, BA, Special Project of National Significance, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Office of Community Health, Division of HIV/AIDS, 4201 Ambassador Dr., Anchorage, AK 99508.

In Alaska, a significant segment of the Alaska Native population continues to reside in geographically isolated rural villages and communities that retain their traditional customs, language, and hunting and fishing practices as a way of life. These communities strive to combine the ‘old ways’ with more recent Western technology, religions and formal education. In part due to unique geographic and climatic factors, it is not surprising that rural, isolated Alaska Native villages had been fairly insulated from the medical, social and economic implications of HIV/AIDS. However, in recent years it has become a major health issue in rural isolated Alaska Native villages. To identify issues related to a Native village response to HIV/AIDS, a qualitative study of 30 key informant interviews was conducted throughout two rural, isolated Native villages. These interviews were conducted in homes, village clinics, and community centers with a diverse sampling of individuals who were affected by HIV/AIDS; including village chiefs, elders, adolescents, health workers and family members. The presenter will discuss 1) the range of responses to learning that other village members were HIV infected, 2) the impact of HIV related deaths, and 3) how community members and the community as a whole addressed the first appearance of HIV in their villages.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Identify beliefs and practices of rural, isolated American Indian / Alaska Native communities that act as barriers to recognizing and seeking medical care for HIV/AIDS.
  6. Apply the key informant interview strategy to other evaluation and needs assessment efforts.
  9. Develop prevention and intervention strategies that are community specific and are compatible with the ethos of a given community.

Keywords: Barriers to Care, Culture

Related Web page: www.ou.edu/hiv/

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.