Needs assessment of people living with HIV/AIDS in Taiwan

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess and compare the needs of HIV/ AIDS patients in outpatient clinics, prisons and residential care facilities in northern of Taiwan. Methods: From December 2005 to April 2006, 367 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) from the outpatient special AIDS clinics of the Taipei City Hospital, Taipei Detention Centers and Tao Yuan Prisons and two residential care facilities in Taipei participated in this study. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences version 12. Results: The results showed that one-third of the all the participants were unaware of their CD4 count (32%) and their viral load (37.8%). Moreover, support from health care workers and personal support were identified as the most important needs among PLWHAs. The following items were listed among PLWHAs from the residential care facilities: financial assistance, transportation, and personal relations. The perceived physical and psychological health was particularly weak among PLWHAs in residential care facilities. Patients in residential care facilities and prisons tended to have higher levels of psychological and social needs. The survival strategies were mostly based on nutrition, antiretroviral therapy, exercise, family care and peer support, however, work seemed to be very important for patients living in residential care facilities. Conclusions: Results of this research projects shown that more counseling and information should be provided to the patients. The fact that most of the patients in prisons have never received CD4 count and the viral load tests indicates that these tests should be provided in prisons.