[Experience of a pharmacist/activist in Cayenne in 2007: fighting HIV/AIDS through prevention and care. A look at women].
The author relates her experience as a pharmacist/activist involved in the fight against HIV. She has worked as a health care professional in French Guiana, as an instructor for NGO, and as an activist working with squatters and street people in cooperation with prevention teams. The goal of her action has been to enhance prevention and to enhance social services for the poor and precarious people in particular for women with regard to reproductive health including HIV/AIDS. A record of these activities was kept as a basis for future planning. The data obtained was used to design and implement information, prevention, and risk control measures to assist infected groups with the least access to health care. Based on her experience in the field, the author concludes that effective management of the epidemic crisis in French Guiana will require a radically different strategy from that used in mainland France not only with regard to financial and human resources but also, and above all, to innovative ideas. The author stresses the need to make maximum use of link (network) the city and hospital services taking full advantage of all players involved in patient management and always ensuring that care providers understand the importance of maintaining contact with associations that provide the only direct link with patients in their everyday lives.
Chiron
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Act-Up Toulouse, 10 bis Rue du Colonel Driant, 31400, Toulouse. sylviechiron@hotmail.com
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005616:French Guiana; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010595:Pharmacists