Late entry into HIV/AIDS medical care: The importance of past relationships with medical providers

Abstract

Data are presented from a qualitative study that explored the impact of relationships with medical providers on late entry into HIV/AIDS medical care. In-depth interviews were conducted with ten males living on the US-Mexico border who entered medical care late in the progression of HIV. The findings focus on past relationships with medical providers and the perception of risk on both the part of the medical provider and the study participant. Current policy and programmatic trends and recommendations are discussed.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from the Health and Human Services Administration, HIV/AIDS Bureau, Office of Science and Epidemiology, Special Projects of National Significance (# H97 HA 00186-05). Frehill was supported by National Science Foundation ADVANCE: Institutional Transformation awards (#SBE0123690 and #SBE0123682). Any findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the sponsoring or funding agencies.