ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To demonstrate that whereas all HIV-infected youth evidence complex factors that challenge retention in care and adherence to treatment, HIV-infected females have additional issues that are gender-specific. METHODS: Preliminary data from a subset of 21 adolescent/young women under age 25 from the Whole Life mental health-perinatal HIV care project were analyzed to illustrate the needs of these patients. RESULTS: Of the 21 young women assessed, all but one was of minority background, and a sizeable majority had limited education (Subject(s)
Adolescent Health Services/organization & administration
, HIV Infections/drug therapy
, Needs Assessment
, Patient Compliance
, Patient Dropouts
, Women's Health Services/organization & administration
, Adolescent
, Adolescent Health Services/statistics & numerical data
, Adult
, Anti-HIV Agents/administration & dosage
, Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use
, Female
, HIV Infections/psychology
, Health Services Research
, Humans
, Perinatal Care
, Reproductive Medicine
, Social Support
, United States
, Women's Health Services/statistics & numerical data
ABSTRACT
Poor women of color who are disproportionately both infected and affected by HIV/AIDS also face multiple lifestyle and psychosocial burdens that complicate effective delivery of health care, thereby contributing to their poorer prognosis. Addressing these factors within the context of HIV/AIDS primary care for women is the aim of Whole Life, a program to integrate mental health services into primary care for HIV-infected pregnant and non-pregnant women. Whole Life utilizes a theoretically derived clinical services model that provides data for both clinical care and patient outcomes research within the constraints of a clinical setting. During a woman's first two clinic visits, data are gathered in structured interviews with standardized instruments-adapted for relevance to the population-that meet clinical and service needs, as well as measure components of the Whole Life model. Interviews are conducted by existing front-line staff who have been trained in using these instruments to gather information typically recorded in clinical notes. The implementation of Whole Life to date clearly demonstrates the feasibility of mental health-primary care services integration in a publicly funded HIV primary care clinic serving poor women of color.
