 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Diana S. Catz, PhD, MPH, Héctor Bárcena, Pearl Cedeño, and Jonathan N. Tobin, PhD. Clinical Directors Network, Inc., 54 West 39th Street 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018, 212-382-0699 Ext 230, dcatz@CDNetwork.org
Study-Link is a combination of a database of all recruiting HIV/AIDS clinical and behavioral trials in the city of New York, a dedicated telephone counseling line, outreach efforts and a network of academic research centers and community-based organizations that conduct research in HIV/AIDS and cross-refer patients. We compared two 18-months periods: 2/1/00 to 7/31/01 and 8/1/01 to 1/31/03. During the last period we switched from outreach workers to peer outreach workers. Results: Over three years, 460 patients were referred to clinical trials. We observed an increase in the proportion of African Americans patients referred to clinical trials (46% to 62%), while Caucasian and Hispanics patients decreased (14 to 10 %, and 31% to 26% respectively, p<0.01). Female patients decreased from 57 % to 43% (p<0.01) and 26% of the patients had CD4 counts < 200, and 47% had viral loads <400. Patients with weight problems increased significantly (p<0.001), and the proportion of patients not using any antiretroviral medication also increased, (18 to 25 %, p=0.07). Data from intake surveys in the last period indicated that: 70 % of the patients were depressed, 21% abused alcohol, 51% had memory problems, 71 % were under stress and 28% were co-infected with Hepatitis C. Conclusions: This project has successfully engaged hard-to-reach populations into HIV/AIDS clinical studies. Co-morbidities, including stress, depression and dementia, are common among people living with HIV/AIDS, and may represent significant barriers to clinical trial participation. Supported by Ryan White Title I, HIV CARE services # 98-OCB-706.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Ethnic Minorities
Related Web page: www.CDNetwork.org
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.