HIV Screening and Testing for Survivors of Domestic Violence

1. HIV Screening and Testing for Survivors of Domestic Violence Jenny Namur Karp, MPH Social Solutions International, Inc. jnkarp@socialsolutions.biz www.socialsolutions.biz

2. Overview • This presentation will provide an overview of: -Importance of screening and testing -Common barriers to and proposed solutions for HIV screening and testing -Practical information on how to screen

3. Why Screen? • At-risk women seek care. • At-risk women speak with their providers. • Brief interventions work.

4. HIV Screening &Testing Benefits • Prevents HIV transmission. • Treatment works. • Few recognize risk. • Many women are asymptomatic. • Delay in treatment seeking. • Screening works.

5. HIV Screening and Testing: Challenges & Solutions Challenge: Time Constraints • Time as provider barrier • Time as client barrier Time Constraints: Solutions • Provide Brief HIV Screenings • Stress Importance of Health-related Issues • Partner with an HIV service provider

6. Brief HIV Interventions: Challenges & Solutions Challenge: Provider Skills • Inadequate counseling skills Provider Skills: Solution • Obtain behavioral health intervention training • Partner with an HIV service provider • Develop a referral network

7. Brief HIV Interventions: Challenges & Solutions Challenge: Multiple Client Needs • Biopsychosocial needs • Survival needs Multiple Client Needs: Solutions • Proactively Identify Biopsychosocial Needs • Support Community Resource Trainings • Prioritize Needs

8. Brief HIV Interventions: Challenges & Solutions Challenge: Lack of HIV Policies • Lack of policies. • Competing policies. Lack of HIV Policies: Solutions • Develop a screen-everyone policy.

9. Practical Implementation of Screening and Testing • Provide multiple screening options • Provide privacy • Inform staff • Ensure confidentiality • Identify point person

10. Questions and Thank you Jenny Namur Karp Social Solutions International, Inc. www.socialsolutions.biz jnkarp@socialsolutions.biz