ISSN 2736-1748
African Journal of AIDS and HIV Research ISSN 2736-1748 Vol. 10 (4), pp. 001-003, April, 2022. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Results of a peer navigation pilot program to link HIV positive clients of harm reduction services with Ryan White Clinical Service Providers
Rachel Hallum-Montes1*, Thekla Manoloudis1, Rohan D’Souza1, Cornell Wrisby1, Barbara Cicatelli1, Stefanie Cousins1, Helen Rovito2 and Michael Anastario3
1Cicatelli Associates Inc., New York, USA.
2Health Resources and Services Administration, Rockville, Maryland, USA. ³New York University, New York, USA.
Accepted 12 March, 2022
Abstract
Peer navigation programs may improve healthcare accessibility and adherence for hard-to-reach populations. We piloted a peer navigation program at 3 sites within the United States with the aim of linking HIV positive clients of harm reduction services with Ryan White Clinical Services. We compared navigator activity logs and client tracking forms to evaluate the efficacy of the peer navigation program and to determine whether specific navigator duties varied with instances of client navigation. Findings indicated that increased instances of peer navigator activities corresponded with successful navigation of clients. Peer navigation may be a promising model for overcoming barriers to healthcare access for hard-to-reach populations.
Key words: HIV care, peer navigation, Ryan White services, drug use.