Medical and Support Service Utilization in a Medical Program Targeting Marginalized HIV-infected Individuals

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Abstract
Background. One strategy to facilitate HIV health care services utilization is to incorporate support services with medical services. We developed a program that delivers HIV medical care and support services to marginalized people, and evaluated the association between support and medical services utilization. Methods. We extracted data on 218 newly enrolled program participants 3 months prior to through 6 months after program enrollment, and analyzed associations between support and medical services. Results. Case management visits (AOR=1.95, 95% CI 1.04–3.67) and group visits (AOR=2.59, 95% CI 1.30–5.16) were associated with greater odds of quarterly medical visits. Outreach visits were associated with greater odds of having a medical visit in a traditional medical setting (AOR=2.31, 95% CI 1.15–4.67). Conclusion. Case management, support groups, and outreach were associated with HIV medical visits. Further research exploring how integration of support services into HIV medical programs can improve health care delivery is crucial for health policy and program development.