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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Andreia Alexander¹, Tania B. Basta, MPH², Enbal Shacham, PhD, MEd¹, and Michael Reece, PhD³. (1) Applied Health Science, Indiana University, HPER 116, 1025 East Seventh Street, Bloomington, IN 47405, 3522627753, abalexan@indiana.edu, (2) Health Promotion and Behavior, University of Georgia, 300 River Road, Athens, GA 30602, (3) Dept of Applied Health Science, Indiana University-Bloomington, 1025 E. 7th St, HPER 116, Bloomington, IN 47405

Background: There is little research on the engagement in HIV-care services and the impact of those services on mental health. However, research suggests that regular use of the primary HIV-care services can predict the utilization of HIV-related ancillary services, including: mental health care, case management, drug assistance, food/nutrition services, complementary services, and housing. Purpose: To explore the extent to which individuals seeking HIV-related mental health care were engaged in HIV-care services as well as to examine the relationship between engagement in the HIV care infrastructure and mental health outcomes. Methods: Data were collected from 813 individuals living with HIV, upon enrollment into care at a mental health clinic, from 2003 and 2006. Individuals were classified as “highly,” “moderately” or “minimally” engaged in HIV-care services based on their involvement in the HIV-care infrastructure. Results: Individuals who were “highly” engaged in the HIV-care system had significantly lower levels of depression (F = 14.70, p =.00), obsessive-compulsivity (F = 5.40, p =.00), and somatization (F = 5.34, p =.00) than those individuals who were “minimally” involved. Individuals who were “highly” engaged in the care system reported lower levels of generalized anxiety than those who were “moderately” involved in care (F = 4.99, p =.01). Implications: These results suggest that engagement in a wide range of HIV-care services can decrease psychological distress among individuals living with HIV. As a result, it is important that HIV-care professionals provide the information and referrals to facilitate the engagement of individuals in the HIV-care system.

Learning Objectives: After attending this presentation, participants will be able to

• Describe the extent to which minority individuals living with HIV are accessing multiple components of the HIV care infrastructure.
• Describe the extent to which infraastructure engagement shares associations with mental health status.
• Describe strategies for using mental health care to increase engagement with other care systems.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Mental Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered