Pilot study to identify the prevalence of adverse childhood events in an Southern urban HIV specialty clinic targeting socio-economic disparities to change health care practice

A pilot study to identify the prevalence of adverse childhood events in the Memphis area population infected with HIV, targeting health care, violence and economic disparity, as first step to change health care practice. PROBLEM: Memphis has an increasing rate of HIV infection, crime and violence. Over 20 published articles which are available on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website have identified the Adverse Childhood Events (ACE) tool demonstrating the relationship between adverse childhood events and increased poor adult health and early death. The studies have linked increased adverse childhood events with alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, disability, early pregnancy, fetal death, suicide smoking, physical inactivity, severe obesity, cancer heart disease, lung disease and liver disease. METHODS: Survey using the ACE tool of a convenience sample of persons greater than 19 yrs old infected with HIV attending a specialty clinic visit for routine care. Descriptive analysis of demographics, numbers of adverse childhood events (ACE), prevalence of ACE by zip code, race and education attainment. RESULTS: The study highlights the need to identify the prevalence of ACE in other populations of this community and the need to educate providers of the impact of ACE on health. IMPLICATIONS: Understanding a patient's adverse childhood events and the impact on health beliefs and decision making allows the HCP the opportunity to use appropriate strategies to improve health outcomes. This pilot study is the first step to identify the prevalence of ACE in a Memphis population and begin to address prevention strategies for the community.