BARRIERS TO CARE AND CURRENT MEDICAL AND SOCIAL NEEDS OF HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS IN ALBANIA
BARRIERS TO CARE AND CURRENT MEDICAL AND SOCIAL NEEDS OF HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS IN ALBANIA
复制标题
DOI：
10.21101/cejph.a3644
复制
发表时间：
2011-06-01
影响因子：
1.2
通讯作者：
Harxhi, Arjan
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Morrison, Shane D.;Banushi, Vilson H.;Harxhi, Arjan
目的：随着东欧艾滋病毒/艾滋病流行率的上升，对与之接壤的中欧地区，特别是东南欧地区的当地疫情进行评估，对于满足治疗和预防需求至关重要。了解这些地区艾滋病毒阳性患者目前的医疗和社会需求以及护理障碍，可能有助于深入了解如何最好地应对当地流行病，增加患者获得治疗的机会，并减少后续损失。设计：本研究评估阿尔巴尼亚艾滋病毒阳性患者的患者特征、护理障碍以及当前的医疗和社会需求。方法：我们对地拉那大学医院中心(UHCT)HIV/AIDS门诊门诊的85名患者中的79人(应答率为93%)进行了访谈，这些患者代表了阿尔巴尼亚2009年间接受HIV治疗的大多数患者。结果：当地HIV流行似乎主要是异性恋男性，他们平均在国外生活了3.6年。在UHCT HIV/AIDS门诊接受护理的绝大多数患者经历了与社会耻辱(97.4%)、缺乏艾滋病毒医疗保健知识(76.6%)和医务人员缺乏艾滋病毒知识(70.9%)有关的护理障碍。患者的社会需求也未得到满足(90.0-95.7%)。结论：在阿尔巴尼亚解决艾滋病毒/艾滋病问题时，至关重要的是对卫生保健部门进行教育，以确定和解决艾滋病毒阳性患者的护理障碍和当前的医疗和社会需求。
Objective: As HIV/AIDS prevalence rises in Eastern Europe, assessment of local epidemics in the bordering Central European region, especially South Eastern Europe, is vital in order to meet treatment and prevention needs. Understanding current medical and social needs and barriers to care experienced by HIV-positive patients in these regions may provide insight into how to best respond to the local epidemics, increase patients' access to treatment, and reduce loss to follow-up.Design: This study assesses the patient characteristics, barriers to care, and current medical and social needs of HIV-positive patients in Albania. Semi-structured interviews were used in this cross-sectional study.Methods: We interviewed 79 of 85 patients (93% response rate) followed at the University Hospital Center of Tirana (UHCT) HIV/AIDS Ambulatory Clinic, which represented the majority of patients under HIV care in Albania during 2009.Results: The local HIV epidemic seems to be comprised mainly of heterosexual men who have spent an average of 3.6 years abroad. The vast majority of patients under care at UHCT HIV/AIDS Ambulatory Clinic had experienced barriers to care associated with social stigma (97.4%), lack of knowledge of HIV medical care (76.6%), and medical provider's lack of knowledge of HIV (70.9%). Social needs of the patients were also overwhelmingly unmet (90.0-95.7%). Conclusions: In addressing HIV/AIDS in Albania, it will be crucial to educate the healthcare sector in ways to identify and address barriers to care and current medical and social needs of HIV-posilive patients.