Introduction Research has demonstrated that addressing the concern of access for those at-risk for contracting HIV is an important issue for prevention (CDC, 2000). Given the efficacy of many health services, the first step in any prevention effort aimed at individuals engaging in high-risk behaviors must be to ensure access to health services. The current investigation examines access to in a statewide sample of individuals who were at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS.
Methods Data were collected as a part of a larger statewide HIV Behavioral Surveillance Study. A 23-page survey was developed for the purpose of assessing the frequency and extent of sex and drug behavior in a sample of individuals at risk for HIV infection. Access to eight health services over the past three months was assessed.
Results Participants were asked if there was any time in the past 3 months that they needed to use a particular health service but could not afford to do so. Of those participants who responded to the question, 35% couldn't afford prescription medicines, 16% couldn't afford mental health care or counseling, 34% couldn't afford dental care, 20% couldn't afford substance abuse treatment, 30% couldn't afford housing, 31% couldn't afford food, 18% couldn't afford childcare, and 16% couldn't afford birth control or safer sex supplies.
Implications Implications for increasing access to services in individuals at risk for HIV will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify barriers to health care for HIV infected individuals 2. List strategies to improve health care access for HIV infected individuals
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Access to Health Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.