Bruinsma-Adams IK, Ferreira RR, Figueiredo SM, Nogueira-Duarte R, Vargas MR; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1998; 12: 96 (abstract no. 74/12412).
Clinica Nossa Senora da Conceicao, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil.
ISSUE: Disadvantaged patients with HIV/AIDS attended in a philantropic hospital with limited financial resources, were greatly improved at discharge only to be readmitted, frequently in a state as bad as the previous admission. PROJECT: An intensive intervention in the families of patients during and after hospitalization was initiated in July, 1997 by a multiprofessional team (Social Worker, Psychologist, Nutritionist, Community Health Agent [CHA]). The CHA visited the homes, and adapted the discharge medical, nutricional and hygiene recommendations to the reality of the family/home situation. She identified community resources in the absence of, or in addition to, family support. RESULTS: Results of 132 admissions of 97 patients between January and December, 1997, comparing results before and after the intervention, and in those who did and didn't have family support are presented. In 86% of cases, there was family support. Unsatisfactory family relationships (often pre-dating the HIV diagnosis) were identified in 75% of cases. In 64% of cases re-integration into the family was achieved. Needs identified and resolved included; entitlement to government financial benefits, erroneous ideas about posssible HIV transmission, adherence to medication, low self-esteem, family and social abandon, inadequate and inappropriate diet, inadequate hygiene. In 11% of cases, failure to achieve family support occurred. These were cases where family indiference and abandon preceded HIV diagnosis and resulted from self destructive behaviour of the patient. The duration of hospitalizations, cost of care and diet, weight gain at discharge, and frequency of re-hospitalization were greatly improved by the intervention. LESSONS LEARNED: The human and financial resources invested in hospitalization of socioeconomically deprived people with HIV/AIDS were achieving only transitory improvements until multiprofessional intervention with the families during and after hospitalization. This approach can achieve a prolonged improvement in quality of life, reduction in duration, frequency, and cost of hospitalization.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Family
- Family Relations
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Promotion
- Hospitalization
- Humans
- Patient Discharge
- Residence Characteristics
Other ID:
UI: 102227440
From Meeting Abstracts