Project CHAP (Case management, Housing, HIV Advocacy and Policy) or RuTelCo Project (Rural Telemedicine Counseling)
Course Credit?
Yes - NUR 317Paid Position?
NoPreferred Majors
Biology | Human Development | Nursing | Political Science | Pre-Political Science | Psychology | Public Health | Social WorkFaculty
Safiya GeorgeDescription
We are seeking undergraduate or graduate students to assist with one of two current research projects: Project CHAP or RuTelCo Project as research assistants. Both projects are being conducted with people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH). Research assistants will be asked to commit 8-10 hours per week to help with study activities, including but not limited to recruitment, telephone screening, data entry, telephone interviews, in person computerized interviews, literature review, data analysis and preparation of presentations, posters and manuscripts. Active students will be included as co-authors when they assist with and significantly contribute to the preparation of abstracts, posters, presentations or manuscripts. Students will be required to complete research ethics training and will first need to be added to the study's IRB protocol before interacting with any participants or participant documents or data. Students will also be required to keep all participant information strictly confidential. Rural Telemedicine Counseling (RuTelCo) Project A. Abstract/Description: Numerous disparities exist in rates of HIV infection, people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH), AIDS-related deaths and HIV outcomes in the United States and in Alabama. Despite significant scale-up of HIV treatment across the globe, the overall effectiveness of HIV treatment is severely undermined by attrition of PLWH across the HIV care continuum. PLWH are more likely than those in the general population to experience depression and anxiety and to have a history of substance abuse, yet they are less likely to access treatment, especially in the rural South. The goal of this longitudinal study is to develop and evaluate a multilevel program, using group counseling via telemedicine and peer support, to improve mental health, substance abuse and HIV-related outcomes, including HIV treatment adherence and retention, among PLWH in Alabama. B. PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES This project will help address the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS), Goal 2C to “increase access to care and improving health outcomes for PLWH by supporting comprehensive, coordinated, patient-centered care for PLWH, including addressing HIV-occurring conditions and challenges meeting basic needs.”3 Substance abuse and mental illness are major risk factors for HIV transmission and may challenge PLWH’s engagement in the HIV care continuum—which is critically needed to decrease HIV viral load (VL) and transmission. Thus, interventions which better address co-existing HIV/AIDS and substance abuse and/or mental illness are needed, particularly in rural settings, such as in the Deep South. The goal of this project is to develop and evaluate a multilevel approach, using professional group counseling via telemedicine and peer support, to improve mental health, substance abuse and HIV outcomes, including HIV treatment adherence, in PLWH in four West Alabama counties: Tuscaloosa, Walker, Sumter and Hale. The specific aims of this project are to: 1. Screen for mental health and substance use issues in PLWH and examine racial differences. 2. Develop a multi-level program for PLWH with mental health and/or substance use issues, using: (1) peer education and support and (2) mental health and substance abuse group counseling via telemedicine videoconferencing; and determine: (a) acceptability/feasibility of the program; and preliminary efficacy to: (b) improve mental health (primarily depressive and anxiety symptoms) and substance use issues among PLWH; and (c) support and improve medication adherence and retention in HIV care among PLWH. Project CHAP Abstract: Structural inequities, such as homelessness, poverty, and powerlessness, are factors that contribute substantively to the acquisition of HIV, to poor health outcomes, and to the continued spread of HIV. Housing remains the greatest unmet need for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH). Research has documented that homelessness and unstable or marginal housing are strong predictors of poor health outcomes among PLWH, and they complicate the medical management of HIV. Although the housing-related experiences of PLWH remain the most compelling evidence of the role of housing assistance in effective systems of care, 3 more empirical evidence is needed, particularly for rural areas. In Alabama—particularly in West Alabama— almost half of clients are in rural counties, where there are very few structured housing programs. This study will address two main research questions (RQ): 1. What is the association between housing and/or case management (CM) and HIV health outcomes, specifically HIV treatment adherence, mental health, immune function, and health-related quality of life among PLWH? 2. What impact does participation in HIV advocacy training and HIV Awareness Day have on PLWH and HIV policy? Our team uses a mixed-method approach to address the following aims; to assess the: (1) health impact of housing and case management for PLWH in West Alabama and (2) best strategies for HIV advocacy in Alabama (See Figure 1). To address Aim 1, we will partner with Maude Whatley Health Services (MWHS) to conduct a non-experimental study and expand WAAO’s existing CAREWare® database. MW and WAAO currently utilize the CAREWare® database. The study will use SPSS to examine activities and outcomes retrospectively and prospectively, over a period of 12 months. To address Aim 2, we will utilize the outcome harvesting method (Rassman, Smith, Mauremootoo, & Wilson-Grau, 2013), a procedure utilized when the direct impact of a network’s activities is impossible to assess, so outcomes are assessed instead. We will thus conduct a qualitative study by interviewing participants, leaders and elected officials about a statewide community and policy advocacy program for PLWH in Alabama.