 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Sharon B. Mannheimer, MD, Harlem Hospital Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 506 Lenox Avenue rm 3101-A, New York, NY 10037, Julie Franks, PhD, Harlem Hospital Center, Columbia University, 506 Lenox Avenue rm 3101-A, New York, NY 10037, 212-939-2447, jf642@columbia.edu, Yael Hirsch-Moverman, MPH, Charles P. Felton Nat. TB Ctr., Harlem Hospital Center, 2238 Fifth Ave., First Floor, New York, NY 10037, Beverly Diamond, DSW, Irving Center for Clinical Research, Columbia University, 630 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032, and Sally Findley, PhD, Northern Manhattan Start Right Coalition, Columbia University, 60 Haven Avenue, Heilbrunn Center for Population and Family Health, New York, NY 10032.
Background: Multifaceted interventions have been most successful in improving adherence (adh). Peer workers have been used in diverse settings to improve adh; however, their activities have not been well described. Methods: From 1999 to 2001, HIV-infected individuals were enrolled in a one-year adh intervention utilizing peers to provide social support for ART adh. Peers were HIV-infected and adherent to ART; from the same inner-city communities as their clients; and trained to provide adh support. Peers provided support through one-on-one encounters and completed contact forms documenting the nature of each encounter. Participant demographic characteristics at enrollment were collected through structured interviews. Data from interviews and contact forms on clients who completed the intervention were analyzed. Results: Of 139 clients, 55% were female; mean age was 42 (range: 21-66); 78% were African-American; and 19% Latino. A history of injection drug use was reported by 31%, active substance use by 40%, and homelessness by 12%. Peers made 1,859 client contacts, with a mean of 13 contacts per client (range: 0-82). 57% of contacts were by phone; 43% in person. Peers initiated 72% of contacts; clients, 27%. In 81% of interactions peers provided adh-specific support; in 13% they discussed HIV-related health education; and in 20% they provided counseling. 41% of contacts included discussion of life stressors such as instable housing. Conclusions: Peers successfully reached this inner-city, substance using population, providing frequent contact and both HIV/adh-specific and more general social support. Next steps include analysis to determine the effect of peer support on adh.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Adherence, Community Health Promoters
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.