Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #118401

Scott H. Arrowood, MSW, Anthony Silvestre, Emilia Lombardi, PhD, and Mark Friedman, PhD. Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 3520 Fifth Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, 412-383-1776, arrowood@stophiv.pitt.edu

Purpose: Recent literature suggested many HIV+ individuals in care participate in high-risk activities increasing possibility of transmission to partners. A statewide needs-assessment was conducted to better understand knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors related to medical care, risks for transmission, and barriers to prevention in care settings.

Methods: (1) Review of literature reporting on risk behavior, describing the various contexts of high-risk activity and discussing the implications for health care providers and their prevention efforts. (2) 8 focus groups of HIV+ adults in care. (3) Survey of 70+ HIV care-providers across the state. (4) Survey of all HIV positive individuals receiving assistance through the state's pharmaceutical program.

Results: Focus group and pilot survey results point to accurate knowledge about HIV transmission and risk-taking behaviors, continued ongoing high-risk behavior, perception of diminished transmission risk attributable to newer treatments and improved health, perception of denial and apathy among HIV+ peers, and perception that providers generally do not discuss prevention. Some participants also perceived that prevention was not the responsibility of the provider; however, all focus groups demonstrated an underdeveloped understanding of prevention and defined it as education, brochures, or free condoms. The detailed analysis of the results of the four methodologies will be described.

Conclusions: Interventions with HIV+ patients and clients will need to address the gap between knowledge and behavior, delivery of health care messages, and resources for those requiring more intensive support.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion participants will be able to

(
• Summarize the major findings of current literature on prevention with HIV+ individuals, (
• Identify major factors contributing to continued high-risk behavior among HIV-positive individuals-in-care, and (
• Discuss implications for prevention efforts and the provider.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation