AEGiS-10IAC: Dissemination of HIV prevention research findings to primary health care workers.

10th International AIDS Conference


Yokohama, Japan — Aug 7-12, 1994

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Dissemination of HIV prevention research findings to primary health care workers.

Int Conf AIDS 1994 Aug 7-12; 10:403 (abstract no. PD0794)
Faugier J, Cranfield S, Butterworth CA; Community Nursing Professiorial Unit, University of Manchester, UK.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and disseminate nationally an information pack for primary health care workers on HIV prevention with drug-using women prostitutes and their clients.

METHODS: In 1994 the Community Nursing Professorial Unit, University of Manchester (UK), issued an information pack Making the Connection; Health Care Needs of Drug Using Prostitutes. This is based on the Unit's study, funded by the Department of Health (DH), of the HIV-related risk behaviour of drug-using and non-drug-using women prostitutes in the Manchester area. The pack, aimed at primary health care workers, consists of 6 easy-to-read information cards. These highlight findings of the study with recommendation for practice. The pack can be used for professional updating, training, health care target-setting and planning HIV prevention. The pack is cost-free (funded by the DH) and disseminated nationally by request. A questionnaire is sent out with each pack requesting user evaluation on usefulness.

RESULTS: In the first two weeks 1500 packs were disseminated. Analysis of initial responses indicates a high level of user satisfaction with the pack and the method of dissemination. A further dissemination is planned. DISCUSSION/

CONCLUSION: Many primary health care professionals in the UK fail to keep up-to-date on HIV research or perceives this as "specialist". Awareness of the specific health care needs of drug-using women prostitutes and their clients is currently low. Action-focused information packs are a relatively low-cost and effective method of disseminating up-to-date research findings and of encouraging professionals' interest in targeting "hard-to-reach" groups affected by HIV.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Primary Health Care, Prostitution, HIV Infections, Health Services Research, Risk-Taking, HIV-1, Health Personnel, Questionnaires, Community Health Services, Needs Assessment, Attitude to Health, Delivery of Health Care, Attitude of Health Personnel, Residence Characteristics, Human, Female, prevention & control, manpower, diagnosis, ICA10
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PD0794

Copyright © 1994 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.