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Carol Tobias, MMHS1, Serena Rajabiun, MPH1, Steven Finch, MS1, Rowland Yancey, MA1, Howard J. Cabral, PhD2, and Tom Mackie, BA1. (1) School of Public Health, Boston University, 374 Congress Street Suite 502, Boston, MA 02210, 617-426-4447, rajabiun@bu.edu, (2) Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany St, Talbot Bldg, Boston, MA 02118
Background: The primary objective of this initiative was to evaluate seventeen (17) targeted outreach interventions identifying, engaging and retaining people living with HIV/AIDS in care. Outreach interventions varied by program model: eleven (11) community-based outreach programs, four (4) clinic-based programs, and two (2) agency linkage programs. Method: Both aggregate program and client level data were collected. Aggregate data included seropositivity rates, percentage of newly identified HIV-positive who kept first medical appointment, and the percentage of HIV-positive individuals enrolled in care who stayed in care. Client level data included socio-demographic information, engagement in medical care, health status, and barriers to care. Results: In community-based outreach programs, 6-88% newly identified HIV-positive individuals made and kept their first appointment, 7-49% were sporadic users (missed 3 or more appointments), and 4-22% of clients were lost to follow-up. Client level data showed that the programs served poor minority populations (61% African American 23% Hispanic, 78% with income under $10,000). Fifty-six percent of clients had a history of incarceration, 36% experienced homelessness, 34% reported a history of injection drug use, and 44% reported having a serious mental health problem. Twenty-four percent (24%) reported seeing a doctor fewer than 2 times in the past 6 months. Conclusions: Community-based outreach interventions play an important role in identifying and reaching HIV-positive populations, especially those persons with a history of mental illness, substance abuse and homelessness, but are not always successful at bringing people into care. Phase 2 programs will focus on enhanced strategies to bring and keep people in care through specific interventions to address the needs of these hard to reach populations.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Community Outreach
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.