229153 Hand in Hand: A peer to peer outreach program for HIV positive persons in the Greater New Orleans Area

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Fran Lawless, MHA , New Orleans Health Department, The Office of Health Policy and AIDS Funding, New Orleans, LA
Brandi Bowen , The New Orleans Regional AIDS Planning Council, New Orleans, LA
Vatsana Chanthala, MPH , Health Department of the City of New Orleans, The Office of Health Policy and AIDS Funding, New Orleans, LA
Erika Sugimori, MPH , New Orleans Regional AIDS Planning Council, New Orleans, LA
Jasmine Fournier, BA , Health Department of the City of New Orleans, The Office of Health Policy and AIDS Funding, New Orleans, LA
The Greater New Orleans Area has seen an alarming growth in HIV/AIDS cases over the past four years. While many cases represent new infections, many cases represent evacuees returning to the area post Katrina. There are currently 6,790 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the metro New Orleans area, although half are not currently receiving medical treatment. Stigma, denial, and a lack of knowledge of the services available have kept many individuals from entering treatment. Local statistics estimate that 46% of PLWHA do not access HIV medical care and are missing the opportunity for improved longevity and quality of life.

To help address the multitude of barriers to medical treatment, a peer-based project, Hand in Hand, was developed to bring PLWHA into medical care. Data show that when an HIV positive individual who is out of care receives peer support, the likelihood of being connected to and retained in care dramatically increases. In a 2008 needs assessment of PLWHA, 59% of respondents reported the need for opportunities to talk to HIV positive peers. Of respondents who had been out of care for 12 months, 15% said a connection to an HIV positive peer would have helped them get back into care.

Trained peers will be given pre and post tests to gauge their knowledge and empowerment levels and data will be collected regarding the number of individuals brought into care. The initial data collection period will end September 30, 2010 and an evaluation of the program will take place.

Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the use of trained peers for outreach purposes. Evaluate the efficacy of a peer program in comparision with more traditional HIV outreach efforts. Identify new methods for engaging and empowering HIV positive persons in their own medical care.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Peer Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the director of an office that is responsible for a federal grant that provides HIV related medical treatment for over 2700 persons living in the New Orleans Area.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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