Reducing barriers to care and improving quality of life for rural persons with HIV

Rural persons living with HIV disease is a patient group rapidly increasing in size and one that will present America's health-care system with daunting challenges. As the HIV epidemic increasingly affects rural America, it is clear there are many significant barriers to providing adequate care for persons with HIV and AIDS in these smaller communities. The study surveyed 57 attendees of the National Rural AIDS Conference held in early 1995, St. Cloud, MN, to assist in the identification of barriers to care and to examine strategies that may improve their quality of life. Health care professionals were more likely to believe the following circumstances made living with HIV/AIDS in a rural community difficult: long distances to medical facilities and personnel, lack of employment opportunities and unsupportive work environments, and a shortage of psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors. Health care and nonhealth care personnel also showed high levels of agreement regarding ways to improve the quality of life among rural persons with AIDS. Quality of life strategies rated as most promising included ensuring that instrumental support and daily assistance is readily available, teaching HIV-affected persons coping and problem-solving skills, and conducting weekly face-to-face support groups for persons living with HIV/AIDS. These findings provide useful information for strategies to improve the life circumstances of persons living with HIV/AIDS in rural areas.