Abstract

PIP: The needs of persons with AIDS (PWAs), their partners or families, and their health care providers are very extensive and complex. AIDS is different due to its impact on individual lives, families, communities, and the society at large. Southern and Central Africa and South Asia comprise more than 75% of all HIV infections (late 1994, 18 million adults and 1.5 million children). The people most affected are the younger, most productive age groups, particularly women. In Africa and Asia, 50% of HIV-infected persons have tuberculosis (TB); care and community projects need to address not only HIV/AIDS but also TB. TB prevention therapy is being introduced in some countries. In countries heavily affected by HIV/AIDS, HIV-infected patients occupy 50-70% of hospital beds for adult patients. The number of beds for other conditions is decreasing. Economic austerity packages have reduced the financing of hospitals and health services. The lifetime medical costs for PWAs in Europe and North America are about US $100,000. Staff and maintenance comprise the largest proportion of costs. The response to HIV/AIDS care among health care providers has ranged from negative attitudes to positive attitudes of listening and explaining. Comprehensive HIV/AIDS care involves a holistic approach. The comprehensive HIV/AIDS care continuum framework consists of various points where discharge planning and referral can occur between each of the points. These points in the continuum include voluntary counseling and testing, health facilities, community-based services, blood transfusion services, self-help groups, and home care.