AEGiS-14IAC: Voluntary support groups improve the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Voluntary support groups improve the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. D11137)

Mello JH
RNP+ Brazilian network of people living with HIV/AIDS, Sao Jose de Rio preto/SP, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of group support formed by PLWHIV/AIDS on quality of live measures in HIV-1 infected men and women members of the Brazilian Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS.

METHODS: Behavioral data were gathered from HIV-1 infected males (75) and females (25) aged 19-55, using a trained interviewer and standardized questionnaires. Most of the participants (64%) were homosexuals, 6% were bisexuals and 20% were intravenous drug users. Six support groups met weekly for 3 months; discussions focused on knowledge and prevention of drug abuse and/or sexual risk behaviors, family and social interactions, nutrition topics and attitude to medical treatments.

RESULTS: Prior to group meetings, relatively 37% of participants expressed adequate knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention or nutritional aspects of disease (5%). 7% of participants were unwilling to accept medical treatment and positive family relationships were reported by 41% of patients. Following group meetings, increased HIV/AIDS knowledge and prevention were reported by 88% of participants; 68% of patients increased their understanding of nutrition as a cofactor of HIV disease progression, and the importance of medication adherence. Better social integration and family reinsertion were reported in 84% of participants. Regarding to acceptance of medical treatment all of the resistant patients agreed to start conventional treatment and therapy monitoring during and after the meetings.

CONCLUSIONS: Voluntary support groups formed and directed by PLWHIV/AIDS appear to be an extremely cost-effective method to facilitate information exchange, enhance of knowledge, and promote self-steem, as well as foster and expand better social relationships. J. Humberto Mello RNP+ Brazilian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS General Secretary Melloh@terra.com.br

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Self-Help Groups, Sex Behavior, Risk-Taking, Substance Abuse, Intravenous, Social Support, Questionnaires, Prejudice, Attitude, Brazil, Human, Female, MaleKWDaegis,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,hivinfections,hivseropositivity,self-helpgroups,sexbehavior,risk-taking,substanceabuse,intravenous,socialsupport,questionnaires,prejudice,attitude,brazil,human,female,male

020707
D11137

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.