15th Annual Conference of the British HIV Association 1-3 April 2009, Liverpool, UK

THE PROVISION OF HIV HEALTH TRAINER SERVICES IN LONDON – EVALUATION OF THE FIRST YEAR’S EXPERIENCE

HIV Med 2009 Apr 1-3; 10(Suppl. 1):19 (abstract no. P18)

P Ward, G Brough and L Power
Terrence Higgins Trust, London, UK

BACKGROUND: Health trainers play an important role in supporting people to make healthier lifestyle choices. In 2007/08 THT opened the first condition-specific service in the UK HIV field. These were funded by London PCTs with the aim of providing health support to people with HIV in HIV outpatient clinics, THT centres, by telephone and at home where applicable.

METHODS: An evaluation of Year One operation of the service was undertaken in January 2009. This has two parts – an audit of people using the services and presenting issues, and an evaluation of organisational learning relating to the delivery of the service.

RESULTS: Demographics – 61% of people using the service identified as Black African Caribbean or Black other, 43% described themselves as symptomatic with 34% describing themselves as asymptomatic. Fifty percent of the service users were women. Full data will be presented at the conference. Common presenting issues are advice and practical support with a new HIV diagnosis, healthy living with HIV, and managing HIV treatment in relation to adherence and side effects. The home outreach element has had great success in re-engaging patients that were lost contact with clinical services. Learning: key learning issues are

1. the importance of multiple service access points as a way of overcoming any access barriers in HIV clinics and as a way of tailoring access to meet individual needs
2. the importance of having the Health Trainer service accepted by the HIV clinic as an important part of the service it offers
3. negotiating territory with health advisors so the service is complementary not duplicative
4. the user desirability of the peer delivery aspect of the service

CONCLUSIONS:

1. the HIV Health Trainer service is an acceptable way of serving PWHIV in greatest need;
2. the principal areas of service need are those which aren’t necessarily a main part of the role of health advisors, and therefore the service is meeting hitherto unmet need;
3. service usage is highest where there is a good relationship between the clinic and health trainer service.

2009-04-01
P18

Copyright © 2009 - British HIV Association (BHIVA) Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BHIVA Organising Secretariat 1 Mountview Court, 310 Friern Barnet Lane, London N20 0LD