MOJ
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Abbreviations
WAD, world aids day; STLCOP, st. louis college of pharmacy; ASOs, aids service organizations; CDC, center for disease control and prevention
Background
Walgreens and SNPhA are committed to improving patient care and health outcomes for individuals living with HIV and AIDS. The World AIDS Day (WAD) program held December 1, 2013, was created to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS. On April 4, 2014 the St. Louis College of Pharmacy (STLCOP) SNPhA chapter, Walgreens and multiple AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) collaborated to provide free HIV testing and disease state information to people residing within the St. Louis, Missouri region.
Missouri reports 11,584 people infected with HIV; forty-eight percent of the patients reside in St. Louis and were diagnosed between 2003-2013.1,2 Approximately two-thirds of HIV/AIDS cases are reported in African Americans. In 2010, African American women accounted for 86% of new HIV cases.
Purpose
To offer counseling and support services that increase awareness to patients residing in St. Louis, Missouri regarding HIV/AIDS. Describe the impact of a health fair hosted by St. Louis College of Pharmacy (STLCOP) Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) chapter and a local Walgreens HIV Center of Excellence in support of World-AIDS Day.
Program description
Eight pharmacy student members of the STLCOP SNPhA chapter coordinated and facilitated the HIV/AIDS health fairs. Students set up a table in a Walgreens location which the concentration of HIV/AIDs cases are estimated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be the highest.3 The table contained educational brochures, gift cards, awareness wrist bands and red ribbons. Customers were given the opportunity to win a Walgreens gift card by answering 6 out of 10 HIV/AIDs related questions correctly. Walgreens presented small bags filled with store-branded items to customers who stopped by the table. The STLCOP SNPhA chapter will continue to partner with Walgreens and provide screening services and education to St. Louis residents in efforts to improve the health and wellness of the community (Figures 1-4).
Figure 1 STLCOP Chapter members provide patient education on December 1, 2013
Figure 2 STLCOP Chapter display patient HIV/AIDs questionnaire – a patient education and engagement tool.
Figure 3 STLCOP Chapter complete their second HIV/AIDS awareness event in collaboration with Walgreens.
Figure 4 Dr. C Kebodeaux and STLCOP Chapter members prepare to provide HIV screenings on April 4, 2014.
Project outcomes
Seventy-five patients attended the health fairs to receive information regarding new HIV infections, pathophysiology of HIV/AIDS, and Missouri statistics in Missouri.3 Forty percent (N=30) of health fair participants received HIV screening. The program demonstrates that health information programs can impact those living with, at risk, or aware of someone with HIV/AIDS.
Acknowledgment
None.
Conflict of interest
The author declares no conflict of interest.
References
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