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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Lisa A. Melchior, PhD1, G. J. Huba, PhD1, Vivian B. Brown, PhD2, Chi Hughes, MSW2, and Celia M. Stillwell1. (1) The Measurement Group, 5811A Uplander Way, Culver City, CA 90230, 310-216-1051, lmelchior@TheMeasurementGroup.com, (2) PROTOTYPES, 5601 West Slauson Avenue, Suite 200, Culver City, CA 90230
Women living with HIV/AIDS may often have co-occurring substance abuse or be at high risk for alcohol and other drug problems. This presentation will focus on the service needs and characteristics of clients in an enhanced wraparound psychosocial support program for women living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Between October 1999 and December 2001, the program has provided substance abuse treatment-prevention, case management, health education, and psychosocial supports to 243 women living with HIV/AIDS (66% African American, 16% Latina, 13% Caucasian, and 5% from other ethnic-racial backgrounds). The clients enter the program at various stages of HIV disease: 13% are HIV-positive asymptomatic, 37% are HIV-positive symptomatic, 41% have an AIDS diagnosis, and 9% have an unknown stage of disease; 25% have a CD4 count < 200. Many have a substance abuse history: 62% have used cocaine, 63% have used marijuana, 25% have used heroin, 21% have used hallucinogens, and 15% have used amphetamines. Approximately one woman in three has engaged in sex work or survival sex and more than half (52%) have had an STD in addition to HIV. Clients identify a range of needs upon entry to the program, at which time individualized treatment-prevention plans are developed to meet the needs of the woman and her family.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Women and HIV/AIDS, Substance Abuse Treatment
Related Web page: www.themeasurementgroup.com/wl.htm
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.