 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Melissa Cribbin, MPH1, Lawrence Bryant, MPH2, Lamonte Powell, MPH1, Carol Crump, MA, LMFT3, Elizabeth Davis4, Magdelena Esquivel, BA5, Michael Kaplan, MA6, Michelle R. LLanas, BA7, and Damaris Richardson, LSW8. (1) Behavioral Science and Health Education Dept., Emory University, 1518 Clifton RD., Atlanta, GA 30322, 404-712-8461, mcribbi@sph.emory.edu, (2) Behavioral Sciences and Health Education Department, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, (3) Office of AIDS, California Dept. of Health Services, 611 N. 7th Street, Sacremento, CA 95814, (4) San Francisco Department of Public Health, 25 Van Ness Ave. suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94102, (5) LA County Office of AIDS Programs and Policy, 600 S Commonwealth Avenue 6th Fl., Los Angeles, CA 90005, (6) Center for Community-Based Health Strategies, Academy for Educational Development, 1825 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009-5721, (7) Wisconsin HIV/AIDS Program, 1 West Wilson Street, room 318, P.O. Box 2659, Madison, WI 53701-2659, (8) Division of Health Communications, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 500 N. Calvert St. 5th FL., Baltimore, MD 21221
Background: The Prevention with HIV-Infected Persons Project (PHIPP) has demonstrated important lessons learned regarding staffing issues and strategies that may be useful for informing future interventions targeting persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). PHIPP is a national demonstration project funding five separate health departments. Methods: This presentation focuses on findings from qualitative interviews that were conducted with PHIPP administrators, front-line staff, and stakeholders. Transcribed interviews were coded and analyzed for recurring themes. Additional lessons learned were gleaned from project reports and documents. Results: Preliminary analyses identified personnel challenges related to high staff turnover, boundary issues, and supervision needs. Members of the target population are often hired as employees for their ability to locate, engage, and work with hard-to-reach clients. However, special consideration and supervision are needed to address personal issues that can arise among staff. Programmatic lessons learned include strategies to address these challenges: 1) screen applicants for personal qualities necessary for working with PLWHA, 2) provide technical assistance that teaches skills for working with specific populations, 3) conduct training for front-line staff and supervisors to deal with personal issues in work settings, and 4) sponsor Learning Community retreats so providers can receive peer support and share information. Conclusions: Prevention programs serving PWLHA can be enhanced if specific plans for training and technical assistance are in place. Before working with PWLHA clients, agencies and staff should assess potential issues related to personal attitudes towards HIV/AIDS, hiring indigenous staff, and supervision needs.
Learning Objectives:
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.