title: A needs assessment of clients with HIV in a home-based care program in Guyana.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the needs of clients in a home-based care (HBC) program aimed at improving the quality of lives of people living with HIV in Region 4 of Guyana (Demerara-Mahaica region) following their involvement with the HBC program, volunteers, and nurse providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional analysis of a needs assessment conducted through a verbally administered questionnaire. We collected a cross-sectional sample of 84 HBC clients living with HIV from Region 4 in Guyana.
  
  
  METHODS
  Respondents were administered a questionnaire that asked questions regarding the demographics; services received; quality of service delivery; and mental health and substance abuse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The services most commonly received by respondents included nutritional assessment and counseling, HIV prevention education, emotional support, hygiene education, support for antiretroviral adherence, and support for HIV disclosure. Respondents reported further need of referrals to income-generation opportunities, food and nutritional supplement support, and support for children. Forty-two percent of the respondents screened positive for probable depression, and 37% of respondents screened positive for being at risk for a drinking problem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While a substantial portion of needs were addressed by the HBC program, outstanding needs included linking people living with HIV to income-generation opportunities, food support, mental health, and services for children. We suggest that mental health and substance use services be factored into HIV programming and that referral systems be strengthened to ensure access to support services for people living with HIV.
authors.affiliation: Cicatelli Associates Inc., New York, New York 10003, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boryc
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Anastario
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dann
authors.forename: Banghee
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cicatelli
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Steilen
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gordon-Boyle
authors.forename: Shanti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Miryah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morris
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006172:Guyana; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011594:Psychometrics; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome