Ann Johnston, executive director of the North Georgia AIDS Alliance, says the two agencies will establish an outreach program designed to integrate routine HIV testing with other health and human services. Serving Hall, Gwinnett, Rockdale and Newton counties, the program was selected by the CDC for "innovation, accessibility, and community outreach," according to Johnston.
While the project targets migrant workers, the CDC views the program as a demonstration project that, once established and evaluated, can be implemented in other segments of the population as well. Only three migrant worker grants were awarded in the nation. The other demonstration sites are in Texas and California.
Johnston says the outreach program, proposed by AID Gwinnett and the North Georgia AIDS Alliance, creates a network of health and human service agencies that would provide HIV rapid testing in addition to its usual services. These community-based HIV testing sites would be located in agencies where migrant workers typically seek other services such as health care , social services, advocacy, etc.
The demonstration program will also mount a multi-media, bi-lingual information campaign. In addition to identifying testing sites, the campaign will seek to minimize the stigma of being tested, focusing on a slogan that encourages this at-risk population to know their health status. Officials say personnel at testing sites will be trained by experienced health care providers to counsel those being tested. Typically, all clients will receive prevention education before the test results are returned.
Using the latest technology, the rapid HIV-test returns results in 30 minutes. An additional diagnostic test will be administered to those with reactive results, and these clients will be referred to counselors and health care providers. Recent pharmaceutical development of anti-viral drugs means that early detection and treatment can dramatically improve the quality of life for those living with HIV/ AIDS.
The migrant population in Northeast Georgia is at high risk for contracting HIV/AIDS. In Gainesville, the public health department reports that 60% of its annual 64,000 patients are Latino; 10% of its AIDS cases are among Latinos.
In the East Metro Health District (Gwinnett, Rockdale, Newton counties) 841 AIDS cases were reported between 1981 and March 2004. Of these, 7% are reported among Hispanics.
Statewide for the same period, Latinos comprised only 2% of all AIDS cases.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/10/148715