How to effectively detect and manage people living with HIV/AIDS in China: Establishment of a community-based model

Abstract

This study explored a novel systemic community-based model for detecting and managing people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used in this study. A quantitative questionnaire investigation was conducted in a sample of 1192 subjects which were randomly selected from two areas with high HIV prevalence, Xiangfan City and Shiyan City of Hubei Province, China. Twenty-two medical and health service staffs were interviewed by semi-structured questionnaire focusing on awareness, status, problems, and suggestions about community-based Voluntary Counseling and Testing and Provider Initiated Testing and Counseling (VCT/PITC). And they were organized to discuss about the aforementioned issues in Xiangfan City and Shiyan City, respectively. Our results showed that the accessibility and availability of the general VCT/PITC were bad. About 28.3% had known and only 4.9% had made use of VCT/PITC. Developing community-based VCT/PITC had some special advantages that can overcome some existing problems to remedy the aforementioned defects. We are led to conclude that, to maximize the availability and uptake rate of the VCT/PITC, we plan to detect PLWHA by developing the community-based VCT/PITC through 4 paths. Then we establish the community HIV health care center constituted of 8 sectors to provide an overall management. Thus, we can effectively detect and manage the PLWHA with a new systemic community-based model.

Keywords

community-based model / HIV/AIDS / PLWHA / detection and management

References

[1] Ronald S. Population mobility and HIV vulnerability in South East Asia: An assessment and analysis. Thailand, 2000

[2] CorbettE.L., DauyaE., MatamboR., et al.. Uptake of workplace HIV counseling and testing: a cluster-randomized trial in Zimbabwe. PLoS Med, 2006, 3(7): e238

[3] NathA., GargS.. Microbicides in India-present and future. Indian J Med Microbiol, 2009, 27(3): 251-253

[4] PignatelliS., SimporeJ., PietraV., et al.. Factors predicting uptake of voluntary counselling and testing in a real-life setting in a mother-and-child center in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Trop Med Int Health, 2006, 11(3): 350

[5] JahanfarS., LyeM.S., RampalL.. A randomized controlled trial of peer-adult-led intervention on improvement of knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of university students regarding HIV/AIDS in Malaysia. Singapore Med J, 2009, 50(2): 173-180

[6] RagnarssonA., OnyaH.E., AarøL.E.. Young people’s understanding of HIV: a qualitative study among school students in Mankweng, South Africa. Scand J Public Health, 2009, 37(Suppl2): 101-106

[7] AhmedN., FlisherA.J., MathewsC., et al.. HIV education in South African schools: the dilemma and conflicts of educators. Scand J Public Health, 2009, 37(Suppl2): 48-54

[8] Ehsanzadeh-CheemehP., SadequeA., GrimesR.M., et al.. Sociocultural dimensions of HIV/AIDS among Middle Eastern immigrants in the US: bridging culture with HIV/AIDS programmes. Prospect Public Health, 2009, 129(5): 228-233

[9] BarssP., GrivnaM., GanczakM., et al.. Effects of a rapid peer-based HIV/AIDS educational intervention on knowledge and attitudes of high school students in a high-income Arab country. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 2009, 52(1): 86-98

[10] SelikowT.A., AhmedN., FlisherA.J., et al.. I am not “umqwayito”: a qualitative study of peer pressure and sexual risk behavior among young adolescents in Cape Town, South Africa. Scand J Public Health, 2009, 37(Suppl2): 107-112

[11] AnayaH.D., HoangT., GoldenJ.F., et al.. Improving HIV screening and receipt of results by nurse-initiated streamlined counseling and rapid testing. J Gen Intern Med, 2008, 23(6): 800-807

[12] CorbettE.L., DauyaE., MatamboR., et al.. Uptake of workplace HIV counseling and testing: a cluster-randomized trial in Zimbabwe. PLoS Med, 2006, 3(7): e238

[13] MaliskaI.C., PadilhaM.I., VieiraM., et al.. Perceptions and significance of being diagnosed and living with HIV/AIDS. Rev Gaucha Enferm, 2009, 30(1): 85-91

[14] LuS.H., TangX.P., DengX.L., et al.. Relationship between psychological distress and T lymphocyte in HIV/AIDS patients. Zhonghua Shiyan He Linchuang Bingduxue Zazhi (Chinese), 2009, 23(1): 23-25