HRSA SPNS Border Health Initiative

All Projects Conference Call

April 30, 2001 @ 10:30 am

 

 

Participants:

Barbara Aranda-Naranjo, Ledia Martinez, Robyn Schulhof, Herman Curiel, Betty Duran, Saleem Ahmad, Sudhir, John Wiebe, Luiza Amodeo, Jennifer, Kari Maier, Chris Johnson, Mari Zuniga, Rosana Scolari, Alisa Olshesky, Sandi Duggan, Yolanda Cantu, Steve Trujillo, Ken Burton, Tony Estrado, David Barney, Joao Ferreira-Pinto, Marisa Olivares, Kurt Organista  

1.  Project reports

a.  San Ysidro Health Center

Programmatic – not much to report.  Have been able to obtain information about hospice and hospital in Tiajuana as part of STD/HIV Bi-national committee report (Rosalinda Canos/ Dr. Rosada).  This new information provides an alternate source for service referral for clients.  Looking at potential of using $100,000 across border if HRSA were able to make such funds available. Training (Alisa) – Case Managers and HIV Counselors to be trained on how to complete forms E & G next week.  The projects has collected over 50 outreach data modules and 15 ABD modules.

 

b.  Valley AIDS Council
Valley AIDS Council - Marisa - Dr. Sinclare's (AETC) visit was successful. The doctors did not display any "homophobia." The physicians and primarily the staff did however, display great concern with HIV transmission and lacked confidence that universal precautions would be sufficient. Example: One SPNS physician placed a latex glove over this stethoscope prior to examination of the HIV patient. Still have cap of two clients per month until confidence level is established. The 330 clinics still continue to request support from AETC. The project has begun first round of one-on-one provider interviews. Anonymity has been assured but struggling with small N and how to be able to disseminate findings without specific providers being identified.

 

c.  Camino de Vida Center for HIV

João :  Have completed 58 HIV tests to date. Have received 36 Ora-Sure results back from the NM DOH, and six have been delivered to the interviewees. Another person was diagnosed as HIV +, but the test was not conclusive and person is being retested.  The delay in returning the tests are a result of the makeup of our outreach population.  Project has doubled  the number of SMSs and hope to double it again next week. 

 

Continue to work on the homeless module and are happy that David has completed the Social Support Module and is translating it into Spanish.  The New Mexico  Process Flow Diagram is already on the Web.  Joao would like to have some feedback from the other projects about its usefulness to other projects.

 

Luiza:  We are working out a solution to the problem of locating our homeless clients so that we can provide them with post-counseling and their test results.  Latest reports from the doctors in Columbus/Palomas Bi-national Council (Dan Reyna) regarding HIV/AIDS services in Chihuahua are optimistic, monies have been provided for the purchase of medications and additional medical personnel.  Since our sex workers are highly mobile and their clients are even more so, we may be able to provide adequate services on both sides of the border.  Barbara asked all projects to send HRSA information of collaboration activities with providers along the Mexico border. Joao advised that the US/Mexico Border Health Association will share much of these information during the conference in Las Cruces.

 

d.  Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe

John Wiebe:  Local data collection training took place on Wednesday.  Seven people were trained in data collection, and a local codebook was distributed.  Everything's ready to go as soon as we have the Spanish multi-site modules.  Vicky Longoria ran the Spanish multi-site demographics module with a patient on Friday afternoon, together with the local Spanish modules.

  1. Data training with UTEP was held last week; 7 staff members received instruction.
  2. Interviews for Care Manager (RN V) continue; full staff will be five nurses.
  3. Position of LMSW was announced in yesterday’s Sunday newspaper; advertised as seeking staff with credential as Advanced Clinical Practitioner or Licensed Professional Counselor.  Some informal employment inquiries already.
  4. Enrollment intake form has been revised; awaiting same from Yolanda Cantu in San Antonio to compare and combine as appropriate.
  5. Made presentation at Texas HIV/STD Conference in Austin about Binational HIV/TB Alliance; well attended and received.
  6. Met with CDC representative and TB-Net staff from Migrant Clinicians Network while in Austin to explore ways to cooperate more closely for better service delivery with mobile transborder clients.
  7. Week of June 18 seems to be best time for planned site visit; La Fe and other local partners will be available then.

 

e.  Arizona Border HIV/AIDS Care Project
Steve: Have enrolled ten patients into the program of which 3 were enrolled using the Spanish modules. Total of 21 patients have been enrolled to date.The project is scheduled to meet with the project collaborators this Friday (5/4). Collaborator meetings are scheduled for every other month, next scheduled meeting is July 6th.The project is scheduled to present on the project at the Arizona Rural Health Conference, July 23-25, 2001. Presenting will be Dr. Kevin Carmichael, Emma Torres of Puentes de Amistad promotora outreach program and Steve Trujillo.

 

On April 18th meeting of the local evaluator, Arizona AIDS ETC and the project coordinator to discuss local evaluation instrumentation. The project will look at collecting data from physicians, medical professionals, CHC staff and community providers. Tony reported that they had revised the instrument for CHC staff assessment and will present revised instrument at the May 4th meeting. Instrument will look at knowledge, attitudes and cultural competencies.

 

The CDC Prevention Planning Group of southern Arizona has established a rural subcommittee of the planning group to look at rural issues. Steve has been asked to chair the committee.

 

2. Multi-site evaluation issues
a.Spanish Modules – All projects have been asked to field test the Demographics modules with no response to date.  David hopes to be able to enter Spanish translation into other modules between now and May 10th.  These will also be sent out to projects for field testing.  Luiza said they field tested the module with sex workers this weekend, question on how to classify income – groups recommended indicating as self-employed.  AZ completed 3 modules in Spanish, clients gave good feedback.  NM has also tested.  Yolanda said questions about gender was raised but clarified with codebook – income was also an issue.  Yolanda suggested that genero be put alongside with sexo in paranthesis – Betty will inform David. b.  Syntax files for merging data files – David sent out via e-mail. c.  David has completed an English version of demographics for outreach clients that goes along with Module D, Risk Factors.  This would only be used for outreach clients.  Will translate into a Spanish version this week. d.  Social Support module has been completed in English and Spanish.  Not a required form but is available to local sites – New Mexico has expressed an interest in using this form.

 

3.  Dissemination -  Herman
a.  Posting of presentations on web page -  Sites are encouraged to submit information about future conferences for posting on the web page (this would be conferences the projects may be interested in submitting an abstract for presentation.  Projects were also reminded to submit conference abstracts or articles submitted for publication to Centro de Evaluación for posting on web page.
4.  HRSA issues
a.  Barbara – Speaker at Grantees Meeting - Shelly Davis of the Farm Workers Justice Organization (based on Washington, DC – part of National Council of La Raza) provides technical assistance to promotoras and consejeras on outreach.  Would like her to present at Grantees meetings in Washington, DC.  Has a 15 minute video on outreach with migrant workers.  Marcelina Gonzales provided training with Steve’s group in Arizona.  Grantee’s expressed interest in having Shelly Davis present at meeting in August.  Barbara congratulated projects for work achieved in last 10 months.

 

Steve inquired about HRSA continuation application – Barbara advised it was mailed two weeks ago and is due at HRSA by May 25th – only New Mexico has received the application.  Barbara advised that it was to have been mailed to PI’s.  She will request that the application be mailed again, as well as request an extension due to the delay.  Robyn advised that the continuation application is similar to six month progress report. 

 

5.  Other
a.  Betty – Grantees Meeting –  Ask projects to submit items they would like to include in the agenda for the meeting in DC.