Predictors of death and survival duration among a sample of persons living With HIV/AIDS.

A follow-up study was conducted on a sample of 120 ethnically diverse HIV-positive men and women first interviewed in 2000. Participant survival and death rates were ascertained from death records and analyses were performed to identify demographic and psychosocial predictors of survival from the original data. Consistent with past studies, factors associated with survival were age, CD4 count, years HIV positive, and lower alcohol use. Two analyses identified use of professional counseling as a unique factor associated with reduced risk of death. Contrary to our hypotheses, the results from these analyses did not suggest that social groups with fewer economic and institutional resources or those with limited access to highly active retroviral therapy (HAART) therapies were at reduced risk of survival.

Unsafe sex among HIV positive individuals: cross-sectional and prospective predictors.

A follow-up study was conducted on a sample of 120 ethnically diverse HIV positive men and women first interviewed in 2000. Of the 86 survivors, 37 (43%) were able to be contacted 7-8 years later to conduct an exploratory examination of cross-sectional and prospective predictors of unsafe sexual behavior. Predictors that emerged as significant in the two cross-sectional analyses and the prospective analysis tended to be different variables, perhaps underscoring changing needs, perceptions, and behaviors among HIV positive persons over time. The cross-sectional analysis conducted at the baseline time frame showed a considerable number of significant correlates of unsafe sex, including several demographic/background variables. The cross-sectional analysis conducted on data collected 7 years later, on the other hand, showed far fewer significant correlates of unsafe sex, none of which were demographic/background variables, and which tended to be different correlates than those found in the baseline cross-sectional analysis. Significant predictors in the prospective analysis tended to be social support factors. This different pattern of prediction may be important to those designing interventions to influence risky sexual behavior.

Reasons for unsafe sex among a community sample of people with HIV/AIDS.

In a sample of 117 HIV positive men and women, 34 (29%) were identified as engaging in risky sexual behavior in the past six months and were asked for reasons they did so. Analysis using broad categories revealed that partner-related reasons and hedonistic reasons were the most frequent reasons overall (71%). More male (87%) than female (60%) responses were captured by those two categories. Differences by partner status, viral load and age were not as pronounced. Specific interventions and intervention frameworks are suggested.

Social support and maintenance of safer sex practices among people living with HIV/AIDS.

The study discussed in this article addressed the relationship of social support to the maintenance of long-term safer sex practices of 360 HIV-positive adults recruited from outpatient medical facilities. Medical professionals, friends, and siblings were reported the most frequent sources for assistance, whereas regular sexual partners, medical professionals, and community organizations were rated as the most helpful. Differences in social support use across ethnic, gender, and sexual orientation groups were observed. Those engaging in safer sex practices perceived the support they received as more helpful. These findings emphasize the link between positive support networks and avoidance of high-risk sexual behavior in HIV-positive individuals. Implications for the delivery of culturally appropriate, gender-specific, and community-based interventions are discussed.

Access to services and maintenance of safer sex practices among people living with HIV/AIDS.

Access to services and their relationship to the maintenance of long-term safer sex practices are addressed in this study of 360 HIV+ adults recruited from outpatient medical facilities. Protease inhibitors, antiviral therapies, and entitlements were reported as the most needed services, while entitlements and money to pay for housing were reported as the largest unmet needs. Differences across ethnic and gender groups were observed. One-third of all respondents reported at least one occasion of unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse in the previous six months. The practice of unsafe sex was found to be significantly related to both the number of needed services and the number of unmet needs, even after controlling for demographic variables. In addition, a higher proportion of those who engaged in unsafe sex reported a higher need for psychological counseling and social support. These findings underscore the important linkage between access to services with avoidance of high-risk sexual behavior in HIV+ persons. Implications for the delivery of culturally appropriate, gender-specific and community-based interventions are discussed.

Transition from care: status and outcomes of youth who age out of foster care.

This study shows that a significant portion of youth exiting the foster care system face serious difficulty transitioning to life on their own. Many live on the streets, lack the money to meet basic living expenses, fail to maintain regular employment, are involved with the criminal justice system, are unable to obtain health care, and experience early pregnancies. Although youth reported exposure to independent living training while in care, few reported concrete assistance. Multiple placements while in care and less education correlated with more difficult postdischarge functioning. Training, services, positive supportive networks, and job experience in care are associated with more positive adjustments. The article advances implications for program and policy interventions.