Rapid assessment of existing HIV prevention programming in a community mental health center.
In preparation for implementation of a comprehensive HIV prevention program in a Community Mental Health Center for persons with mental illness who are also abusing substances, a rapid assessment procedure (RAP) of existing prevention services that may have developed in the setting over time was undertaken at baseline. In addition to an ecological assessment of the availability of HIV-related information that was available on-site, in-depth interviews and focus groups were conducted with Center administrators, direct-care staff, and mental health consumers. Results indicated that responses regarding available services differed depending upon type of respondent, with administration reporting greater availability of preventive programs and educational materials than did direct-care staff or mental health consumers themselves. But overall, formalized training on HIV prevention by case managers is extremely rare. Case managers felt that other providers, such as doctors or nurses, were more appropriate to deliver an HIV prevention intervention.
Solomon
Phyllis L
PL
University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. solomonp@ssw.upenn.edu
Tennille
Julie A
JA
Lipsitt
David
D
Plumb
Ellen
E
Metzger
David
D
Blank
Michael B
MB
D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000145:classification / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors