Keeping At-Risk Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in Care: A Qualitative Study of Staff Perspectives

Engaging and retaining persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in medical care is essential to ensure disease management and successful health outcomes. This article summarizes the results of a qualitative study of 21 staff members from seven programs aimed to engage and retain at-risk PLWHA in HIV medical care. The data revealed five domains of services provided and skills delivered: 1. finding people, 2. delivering services and practical support, 3. assistance with systems navigation and linking to services, 4. providing HIV education and information, and 5. relationshipbuilding. These activities were implemented within a framework of client-centered care and teamwork. These findings can assist program planners and service providers with approaches to enhance staff skills that lead to better quality and service delivery for at-risk PLWHA individuals.