Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #104874

Jocelyn Apicello, Shelly Moore, MPH, and Bobby Watts, MPH, MS. Health Education Department, Care for the Homeless, 12 West 21st Street, New York, NY 10010, 2123664459, japicello@cfhnyc.org

Rapid HIV tests offer great promise for increasing access to HIV counseling, testing, referral and partner notification services for people experiencing homelessness. With same-day results, more people can be connected successfully to vital medical care and social services at the point of testing. The presenter will discuss the steps involved in setting up a rapid testing program, and the use of targeted outreach and health education strategies to engage clients in this process.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• articulate that original, dynamic, participatory health education interventions are an effective method to reach homeless people, stimulate their interest in learning about health and HIV, and motivate them to seek health care and HIV antibody testing
• access a range of field-tested health education group level interventions that are free and available for immediate use with homeless populations
• access and obtain affordable sources of props, brochures, videos, and other materials that will make learning about HIV and rapid testing both relevant and fun for homeless people
• integrate HIV rapid testing into homeless health services, and adapt HIV counseling, testing, referral and partner notification practices to a rapid testing environment
• ensure that program staff receive all relevant training to implement rapid testing practices correctly
• create a rapid testing protocol that accounts for logistical issues (e.g. refrigeration, storage, medical supplies, medical waste disposal etc.) that are relevant to rapid testing in non-traditional health care environments like soup kitchens and other homeless service sites
• evaluate the satisfaction of homeless patients who receive HIV rapid testing services

Keywords: Homeless Health Care, HIV Interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation