HIV/AIDS Fact Sheets & Abstracts

The Culturally-sensitive Interview: Despite similarities among patients form a specific ethnic group, each patient must be seen as an individual who may or may not adhere to a particular set of beliefs and practices. It is important to ask specifically about health beliefs.

"Motivation” can be defined as the probability that person will enter into, continue, and adhere to a specific change strategy. Motivational interviewing wants to find an alternative to falling into what is called the confrontation-denial trap-we are each in rigid roles, or a tug of war-we play the costs and they play or pull for the benefits.

Work  with clients living with HIV/AIDS brings both clinical challenges and personal rewards. Burnout is referred to by some as bereavement overload.  HIV disease has brought many social workers into the field of death and dying counseling.  Additionally, social workers are called upon to work with care givers facilitating normal grieving or dealing with complicated grief as an occupational aspect of AIDS work.

Because of the growing prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, a thorough sex and drug use history is now recommended for all adolescent and adult patients.  With practice you will be able to take a sex and drug history in 1-5 minutes.  Most patients will be pleased to know they can discuss these important issues with their care provider.

The relative efficiency with which sexual contact can transmit HIV exists along a continuum: highest risk to no risk.

Discriminating against people who are infected with HIV/AIDS or anyone thought to be at-risk of infection violates individual human rights and endangers public health. Every person infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS deserves compassion and support, regardless of the circumstances surrounding their infection. Education is crucial in getting this message out.