Strategies Employed by Community-Based Service Providers to Address HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Challenges: A Qualitative Study

• Published in: Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care 2019-01, Vol.18, p.2325958218822336-2325958218822336
• Main Authors: Liboro, Renato M., Rourke, Sean B., Ibañez-Carrasco, Francisco, Eaton, Andrew, Pugh, Daniel, Medina, Claudia, Rae, Allan, Shuper, Paul A., Ross, Lori E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Access; Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Adult; AIDS; Community Health Workers; Community mental health services; Community services; Counseling; Developed countries; Female; Health problems; Health services; HIV; HIV Infections - complications; HIV Infections - psychology; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Male; Mental health; Mental Health Services; Middle Aged; Neurocognitive Disorders - prevention & control; Neurocognitive Disorders - psychology; Neurocognitive Disorders - virology; Ontario; Organization development; Original; Public health; Qualitative Research; Social Support; Strategies; Support groups
• ISSN: 2325-9582; 2325-9574; 2325-9582
• DOI: 10.1177/2325958218822336

Background: HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders and other causes of neurocognitive challenges experienced by people living with HIV (PLWH) persist as public health concerns in developed countries. Consequently, PLWH who experience neurocognitive challenges increasingly require social support and mental health services from community-based providers in the HIV sector. Methods: Thirty-three providers from 22 AIDS service organizations across Ontario, Canada, were interviewed to determine the strategies they used to support PLWH experiencing neurocognitive difficulties. Thematic analysis was conducted to determine key themes from the interview data. Results: Three types of strategies were identified: (a) intrapersonal, (b) interpersonal, and (c) organizational. Intrapersonal strategies involved learning and staying informed about causes of neurocognitive challenges. Interpersonal strategies included providing practical assistance, information, counseling, and/or referrals to PLWH. Organizational strategies included creating dedicated support groups for PLWH experiencing neurocognitive challenges, partnering with other organizations with services not available within their own organization, and advocating for greater access to services with expertise and experience working with PLWH. Conclusion: Through concerted efforts in the future, it is likely that empirically investigating, developing, and customizing these strategies specifically to address HIV-associated neurocognitive challenges will yield improved social support and mental health outcomes for PLWH.