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

Abstract #112409

Jessica A. Fehringer, BS¹, Deanna Kerrigan, MHS, PhD¹, Elize Fonseca, BS², Francisco Bastos, MD, PhD², Cāndido Leonardo Campos Maia, MD², Rosa Rezende², and Jose H. Pilotto, MD². (1) International Health, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, 615 N, Wolfe Street, Mailbox #1216, Baltimore, MD 21205, 734-417-9626, jfehring@jhsph.edu, (2) Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil, 4362, Biblioteca de Manguinhos #229, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Objectives: To explore opportunities to support adherence and protective sexual behavior among PLWHA receiving highly active anti-retroactive therapy (HAART) through the public health system in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Methods: 20 direct observations were carried out during scheduled patient-provider clinical consultations and were followed by qualitative interviews with patients regarding their clinic experience.

Results: Observations showed that patient-provider interactions focused on biomedical aspects of treatment such as medication adherence and symptom management. HIV/STI-related protective behaviors such as condom use were generally only addressed when the patient displayed active STI symptoms. Questions posed by providers regarding adherence to HAART were generally close ended and leading - discouraging an open exchange about adherence concerns. In qualitative interviews, patients expressed a variety of concerns and challenges related to HAART and/or protective sexual behavior which were not expressed in patient-provider interactions.

Conclusions: Opportunities to promote adherence to HAART and protective sexual behavior are often being missed within current patient-provider interactions. Study findings indicate the importance of both improving patient-provider communication as well as offering peer-facilitated support groups for PLWHA receiving HAART.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn about patient-provider communication as it relates to adherence to HAART and protective sexual behavior among PLWHA receiving care through the public health system in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Participants will gain understanding regarding opportunities for intervention regarding adherence to HAART and protective sexual behavior among PLWHA in clinical care settings
• Participants will be able to discuss opportunities for intervention among PLWHA in clinical care settings

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