Weir-Wiggins C, Rollison M, Kaplowitz L, Gerszten E, Burnham C, Creger A; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. WePeD4733.
C. Weir-Wiggins, VCU HIV/AIDS Center, P.O. Box 980147, Richmond, Virginia 23298 0147, United States, Tel.: +1 804 828 22 10, Fax: +1 804 828 17 95, E-mail: cwiggins@hsc.vcu.edu
Issues: HIV Prevention Case Management's (PCM)primary goal is to prevent and reduce the spread of HIV/STD through secondary prevention. The Program design and intent are to address the relationship between HIV risk taking behaviors and medical and psychosocial variables that influence HIV risk taking. PCM is intended for persons at greatest risk of transmitting or acquiring HIV whose needs are not currently being effectively served, and whose behavior has not been influenced by less intensive HIV prevention interventions. Description: PCM participation is voluntary, and involves the development of a client-centered prevention plan with specific behavioral objectives for HIV risk reduction for seropositive clients, seronegative partners, or those of unknown sero-status. These interventions include one to one counseling and risk reduction education aimed towards better compliance with medications and medical appointments. Persons referred are those who maintain unsafe behaviors or have had a poor prognosis for changing behaviors without this intervention, including those who are: cognitively or developmentally disabled, chronically mentally ill, substance abusers, have multiple STDs, or have chronically dysfunctional lives. Conclusions: A high percentage of PCM clients (94%) are receiving Medicaid and indigent care funds. Potential cost savings are substantial to Medicaid and Academic Medical Centers. PCM clients referred for adherence issues have demonstrated a decrease in viral load and increase in CD4 count. This is attributed to better understanding by the patient of the HIV disease process and the mechanism of antiretroviral therapy. As a result of increased medication adherence alone, PCM clients experienced fewer HIV related opportunistic infections, ER visits and hospitalizations. As a result of educational counseling sessions, PCM clients have also reported reduced risk-taking behaviors related to transmission of HIV/STD.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Case Management
- Counseling
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Risk Reduction Behavior
- Risk-Taking
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Viral Load
Other ID:
UI: 102241104
From Meeting Abstracts