AN AIDS TRAINING-PROGRAM FOR RURAL MENTAL-HEALTH PROVIDERS

A total of 194 mental health care providers in Arkansas, primarily from rural areas and small communities, participated in a four-hour training program designed to improve their know,(edge about the psychosocial and neuropsychiatric aspects of HIV and AIDS. Participants' responses to questionnaires completed before and after training indicated that the program was successful in achieving its goal. However, only a minimal number of providers reported completing drug, alcohol, and sexual histories and AIDS risk assessments for any of their patients before the training occurred. The authors emphasize the importance of AIDS training for rural providers.