title: An evaluation of a medical outreach program targeting unstably housed HIV-infected individuals.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate a medical outreach program that targets unstably housed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. One hundred sixty-one cross-sectional interviews were conducted prior to and after establishing a medical outreach program in single room occupancy hotels. Participants' mean age was 42 years; 58% were men, 95% minority, and 59% active substance users. The postintervention group was more likely to have a regular health care provider (p = 0.02), and take Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis (p = 0.03) and antiretroviral medication (p = 0.02) than the pre-intervention group. Quality of care was more positively perceived in the postintervention group (p = 0.001). On multivariate analysis the postintervention group remained more likely to have a regular provider (OR = 5.3, p = 0.02), take antiretroviral medication (OR = 5.7, p = 0.02), and have a better perception of quality of care (OR = 4.9, p = 0.003). A medical outreach program targeting unstably housed HIV-infected individuals was associated with increased use of regular medical care and improved perceived quality of care.
authors.affiliation: Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, USA. ccunning@montefiore.org
authors.forename: Chinazo O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Karina M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Galit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sacajiu
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paccione
authors.forename: Joseph L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Goulet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents