Project H.E.A.R.T

Janet SheridanSC Family Planning Program

Division of Women and Children's Services

OBJECTIVE

Exchange of knowledge related to

successes/challenges met with the

integration of HIV/AIDS and

reproductive health services

Project H.E.A.R.T.

H-HIV E-Education A-And R-Routine T-Testing

Where?

Charleston, South Carolina Serving patients from 3 counties-Berkeley,

Dorchester and Charleston Staff includes: RN (project manager),

Disease Investigation Specialist (DIS), Administrative Support, Health Educator

Who do we serve?

Large Population of sexually active women of childbearing ability, their unborn children and their sexual partners.

Our Goal

CDC reports that 25% of people with HIV are unaware of their status.

Our goal is simple: Increase the number of women and men that know their status.

Why Public Health Clinics?

Public Health Clinics represent one of only a few possible health care delivery sites available to uninsured or underinsured women and men.

Women Served

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

2004 2005 2006

# of female users

Women by Race

Region 7 Number of Users by Race2005-2006

4390 4759

1982

155 640

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Black

White

Hispan

ic

Oth

er N/S

Number of users by Hispanic/Non-Hispanic and Age

2005-2006

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Under

15

15-1

7

18-1

9

20-2

4

25-2

9

30-3

4

35-3

9

40-4

4

45-4

950

+

Day to Day Activities

30-40 women are assessed at Northwoods per day Extended hours: Mon-Thur 8a-6:30p

Friday- 8-5

One Saturday per month 8-5 Male family planning services Tues/Thurs 8-6:30

HIV testing by appointment or walk-in

Pregnancy Testing and HIV Testing

2005 1485 pregnancy tests performed 599 (40%) positive

2006 2104 pregnancy tests performed 830 (39%) positive

Successes

Pre-Grant Less than 5% tested Closest free HIV test was

15 miles away Male partners not able to be

tested Difficult to provide HIV

counseling in community d/t lack of trained staff and limited resources

Current Apx. 76% of women were

tested in 2006 On site HIV testing 209 Men tested for HIV

last year Networking with Father-

to-Father Project, Mason’s, It’s Up to Me Project, Dept. of Social Services, College fraternity and sororities and faith-based organizations

Successes

Pre-Grant Agency required

cultural competency training

Message for men: Use condoms/get him tested and/or treated

Current Optimal customer

service skills specific to African American and Hispanic population

Men’s reproductive health needs and concerns addressed

300 males participated in male reproductive health services project

Successes

Pre-grant SC HHNA

demonstrated that the Hispanic population in SC lacked adequate health care information r/t HIV and experience restricted access to care

Current Approximately 55% of

all HIV tests during grant year 3 were provided to Hispanic enrolled clients

Successes

Pre-Grant HIV testing only for

“high risk” clients Rarely offered/provided

HIV testing to patients presenting for a pregnancy test

Current Utilizing CDC

recommended opt-out HIV testing

Routine part of women’s health care

Test high percentage of women who come in for a pregnancy test

Minimizing Barriers to Full Implementation

Staffing Training/Education Language/Reading Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity Clinic Flow