title: Testing a service integration model: results from the HIV/AIDS initiative, ConnectHIV.
abstract: Staff of 20 AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs), grantees of the initiative ConnectHIV in the United States, developed a theoretical model of five categories of factors - external, community, organizational, staff, and client - that lead to effective service integration (SI) and took part in a self-assessment related to the model. The model was tested empirically using GEE analysis to assess the effect of ASO SI scores on client outcomes from participation in HIV/AIDS interventions involving case management with persons living with HIV/AIDS. Results showed that clients served by ASOs with more effective SI were more knowledgeable of HIV disease, healthier (higher CD4, lower viral load) and perceived themselves as healthier than clients in ASOs with less effective SI. In addition, clients at ASOs with more effective SI more often showed stronger gains in CD4 count over their time in the HIV/AIDS intervention than those at ASOs with less effective SI. Further research is needed on models and measurement of SI in order to effectively investigate the impact of HIV SI on client health outcomes.
authors.affiliation: FHI 360, New York, NY, USA. srogers@fhi360.org
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Palomo
authors.forename: Stacey E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Woldehanna
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D019090:Case Management; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation