The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #38474

Saundra Ivey, RN, MSN, CRNP, School of Nursing, Auburn University Montgomery, P.O. Box 2444023, 7300 University Drive, Montgomery, AL 36124-3670, 334-244-3670, sivey@mickey.aum.edu and Robin Allison, MA, Alabama Chapter, March of Dimes Foundation, 100 Vestavia Pkwy, Suite 100, Birmingham, AL 35216.

In Alabama in 1998, 9.3% of infants were born low birthweight (LBW), well above the LBW rate for the U.S. (7.6%) and the Healthy People 2010 objective (5.0%). Sexually transmitted disease is one risk factor linked with LBW and preterm delivery. In 1999, 241.2 women per 100,000 in Alabama were diagnosed with gonorrhea, nearly double the national rate of 129.9 per 100,000; 509 women per 100,000 in Alabama were diagnosed with chlamydia.

A three-year study (1998 – 2001) was conducted in Alabama to assess perceptions of providers and patients about STD/HIV risk assessment and counseling being given by health care providers. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in interviews with 34 family planning practitioners and 95 patients. Data revealed that assessments were inadequate; levels of risk were not being consistently assessed, and useful advice about risk reduction was rarely given.

This presentation will describe a time-effective STD/HIV counseling model that was developed and tested with physicians and nurses to address these concerns. The model includes an assessment tool with instructions and intervention materials. The tool may be used for self- or provider-assessment of STD/HIV risk. Intervention materials include easy-to-read handouts to augment provider counseling

The presentation will also describe how the Alabama Medicaid Agency integrated this new model into its family planning protocol and the training sessions that were held across the state to take the model from policy to practice.

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

• Describe problems in STD/HIV risk assessment during routine family planning clinic visits.
• Demonstrate effective methods of risk assessment and counseling.
• Understand the partnerships and steps that led to the institutionalization of a new risk assessment protocol into a state Medicaid agency.

Keywords: STD Prevention, Risk Assessment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.