AIDS in Indiana County

Project Three: Solutions

 

Phone Interview with Beth Burns
 
 

 

Hello, my name is Megan. I’m a student at Colgate University, but I’m originally from Homer City. I’m taking a course at college about AIDS, and for my final project I’m trying to determine what the AIDS problem is in Indiana County, and what is being done to solve it. Could I please have a few minutes of your time to ask you some questions?

Thank you:

 

  1. What kind of HIV/AIDS services do you provide for the community? (education)

>HIV/AIDS education & prevention program. Informational. This is how you get/don’t get. Not statistics. Prevention aspect. How don’t get disease. Instructor will actually do condom demonstration. Brochures on HIV/AIDS. Women, teens, workplace.

    1. Who are these programs for (age, demographics, gender, etc.)?

>  Geared towards older teens and adults. Do have them for kids. Not a lot of requests for that though

    1. How are the published materials made available?

> Go through Indiana County Department of Human Services. They have 20+ brochure rack locations. Also when invited to community events (fairs, etc.).

  1. I have statistics that say 90% AIDS cases in Indiana county have been male, and that MSM is the top mode of transmission (65%). What are you doing to correct it?

> It’s addressed in education awareness as an at-risk group. Mention most at-risk groups. Also 19-23, older, women of color

  1. Barriers to Care Scale:
    1. Is HIV-related stigma a problem? 

>I  would hope not, but working in health care for some time, I know not to have stigma barrier. I know it’s a problem, I know they become socially isolated because of fear and stigma

    1. Level of knowledge about AIDS of rural citizens? 

> probably b/c people think, it can’t happen here, we’re rural Indiana County. When disease first recognized in mid/late 80’s everyone afraid. Became more aware, know it’s not that scary as far as communicable diseases. Precautions lessened. But now numbers on rise again. Don’t have awareness. People think it can’t happen here. They think, no one here is homosexual or a drug addict. Don’t see it don’t think hardly any people of color. Think, can’t happen here

    1. Lack of support groups? 

> I’m not aware of any here in Indiana county. May have to go to larger town. Might have something at IUP that’s not publicized to the county. [She found a listing of a support group with an (814) area code] in Johnstown or northern part of ind cty.814-534-6732 [community care management]. listing for ONE. Phone for lady who’s much more: Malinda. Has numbers.

    1. Inadequate housing? 

> don’t know. Could become a problem.

    1. Long travel distances to care? 

> Yeah. Would be [a problem]. People either go to Johnstown or other side to Greensburg/Pittsburgh to get services they need. Not a lot of services here. Need help getting funding for medication, need to go out of county

    1. Lack of adequate transportation?

 > don’t know. There are organizations that provide transportation to doctor’s offices or hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment and appointments. Depending on insurance may or may not be covered. May have to pay out of pocket.

    1. Lack of HIV-trained health professionals? 

> don’t know. Hope they would know the basics. Specialists. Don’t know. Might not have the numbers to have something like that. Multiple different in late stages [talking about opportunistic infections] so hard

    1. Drs. who decline to provide care?  > not that I’m aware
    2. Intentional breaches of confidentiality?  > ditto
    3. Lack of mental health professionals? 

> don’t think so. Plenty of mental health counseling available. Open door on Philadelphia Street [the main street of Indiana, PA, the county seat of Indiana County]. There’s also the Guidance center; there are a lot of mental health practitioners

  1. Is there an immigrant problem?

> no

  1. Is there a problem with people recently released from jail?

> one prison here and it’s a youth facility. Majority [of people in prison] not from Indiana County. When released, don’t stay here. It’s a problem in other institutions, other county prisons. Men are HIV infected (std’s) got thru heroin addiction.

  1.  Is there anything else you can tell me? In your experience, what has worked best? Any additional solutions or suggestions you could provide?

> Well, um, probably education is always a good solution. Educating people about disease is always invaluable. If they would…don’t know what they do in schools, but if they don’t they should talk about it. Indiana County is still very conservative, [HIV/AIDS education is] something that might not be appreciated by a lot of parents, but needs to be taught.

 

  

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