Publications by authors named "Helen Loewenthal"

Inmates face a disproportionate burden of HIV. This study sought to explore the relationship between social support and physical and mental well-being and the possibility that housing stability moderates this relationship among jail detainees living with HIV. Data for this cross-sectional analysis come from 438 clients who underwent a structured interview.

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Approximately 17% of individuals living with HIV/AIDS pass through the correctional system each year. Jails provide a unique opportunity to diagnose and treat HIV infection among high-risk, transient populations with limited access to medical services. In 2007, the US Health Resources and Services Administration funded a multi-site demonstration project entitled Enhancing Linkages to HIV Primary Care in Jail Settings that aims to improve diagnosis and treatment services for HIV-positive jail detainees and link them to community-based medical care and social services upon release.

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Recently, modified directly observed therapy (MDOT) has emerged as a promising intervention to address nonadherence for hard-to-reach populations infected with HIV. To date, there are no existing data on MDOT focusing exclusively on African Americans. The present study sought to determine the feasibility of MDOT among 31 HIV-seropositive African American substance users in the South.

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Background: Adherence interventions for HAART can impact challenging populations, such as active substance users. Community-based modified directly observed therapy (MDOT) is a promising approach that needs to be critically evaluated.

Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial.

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Article Synopsis
  • Women are increasingly becoming the largest group diagnosed with HIV, particularly during their reproductive years, making adherence to antiretroviral therapy crucial for managing the disease and preventing transmission to babies.
  • Modified directly observed therapy (MDOT) has shown promising results in supporting HIV-infected individuals, particularly substance users, but its effectiveness in pregnant and postpartum women had not been previously studied.
  • Interviews with 17 Latina women living with HIV revealed strong support for the MDOT program, as they appreciated its face-to-face interactions, supportive environment, and practical strategies to help them stick to their medication regimens.
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Directly observed therapy, which has been successful in the treatment of tuberculosis, is being adapted for the treatment of HIV to decrease long-term morbidity and mortality. We describe the experiences of 69 HIV-infected individuals who were enrolled in a community-based modified directly observed therapy (MDOT) program. Participants were referred by their primary care physicians based on nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy, and/or active substance use.

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