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

Abstract #72072

Marie Antoinette Bavwidinsi, BSN¹, Conswelia McCourt, MPH¹, and Rashidah Abdul-Khabeer, RN, MHS². (1) Circle of Care, 260 S. Broad Street, Suite 1000, Philadelphia, PA 19102, 215-985-6759, marie@familyplanning.org, (2) Family Planning Council, Circle of Care, 260 South Broad Street, 19th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Relevance: Women are living longer and stronger, and reproduction becomes a goal in their life. As more HIV positive women discover that they are able to have healthy babies, there will be an increase in the number of HIV exposed infants, resulting in the need for increased resources for care and services. Continuums include all social supports that are required of women who are both HIV positive and socio-economically challenged

Innovation: Consumers enter a continuum of comprehensive care where all health and support services are linked. A seamless system was created by utilizing and integrating community based organizations, university based practices, public health clinics, and peer support.

Approach/Methodology: The emphasis on creating a consortium of providers linked through a central unit that coordinate HIV testing, family planning services, HIV care, primary care, prenatal care, pediatric services, case management and other support services.

Results/Lesson Learned: Of the women within the continuum who were diagnosed during pregnancy, the number lost to care has been significantly reduced. Peer counselors were found to be critical in the maintenance of HIV care and prenatal services for these women. Perinatal case management, as a specialty, is an integral link in the continuum of comprehensive care for HIV positive women. A central networking agency is crucial to the implementation and maintenance of a continuum of this kind.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Describe the elements of the continued coordination of HIV medical care for HIV positive women.
  7. Recognize the need for HIV testing of all women of childbearing age, with increased emphasis on preconception counseling.
  11. Articulate and describe a continuum of comprehensive HIV and Prenatal care.
  15. Identify support systems and programs that address social issues in addition to HIV-related issues for pregnant women.
  19. Discuss the need for inclusion in the continuum of care of families with exposed children.

Keywords: Women and HIV/AIDS, Perinatal Outcomes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Circle of Care Family Planning Council
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment