Outreach nurses critical for delivery of HIV care to women in western Victoria

Andrew P. Gador-Whyte; Christine Roder; Rochelle Hamilton; Helen Fay; Emily Huning; Emma Nicholson; Kathryn Mackie; Eugene Athan; Amanda J. Wade

doi:10.1071/SH23153

EDITORIAL

Previous Contents Vol 20(6)

Outreach nurses critical for delivery of HIV care to women in western Victoria

Andrew P. Gador-Whyte

^A , Christine Roder ^B ^C , Rochelle Hamilton ^B ^D , Helen Fay ^B , Emily Huning ^E , Emma Nicholson ^B ^F , Kathryn Mackie ^G ^H , Eugene Athan ^B ^C and Amanda J. Wade

^B ^I ^*

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Prevention, Barwon Health, Geelong, Vic., Australia.

^B Barwon South West Public Health Unit, Barwon Health, Geelong, Vic., Australia.

^C Centre for Innovation in Infectious Disease and Immunity Research (CIIDIR), IMPACT and School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic., Australia.

^D School of Nursing and Midwifery, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

^E Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Barwon Health, Geelong, Vic., Australia.

^F Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol Services, Barwon Health, Geelong, Vic., Australia.

^G Department of Pharmacy, Barwon Health, Geelong, Vic., Australia.

^H Department of Pharmacy, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

^I Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

^* Correspondence to: amandajane.wade@barwonhealth.org.au

Handling Editor: Tiffany Renee Phillips

Sexual Health - https://doi.org/10.1071/SH23153
Submitted: 11 August 2023 Accepted: 24 October 2023 Published online: 9 November 2023

Abstract

Women living with HIV in regional Victoria face barriers accessing care. We evaluated the care cascade and outreach nurse support required for women attending our service between 2005 and 2020. A total of 33 women attended; 97% (32/33) were on antiretroviral therapy; 67% (22/33) retained in care, 27% (9/33) transferred and 6% (2/33) lost to follow up. Of women retained in care, 95% (21/22) were on antiretroviral therapy and 91% (20/22) had virological suppression. A total of 91% (30/33) required outreach nurse care (median care episodes 100/woman; IQR 44–179) – most frequently (87%; 26/30) liaising with pharmacies and prescribers. Outreach nurses are critical in achieving UNAIDS targets for women in western Victoria.

Keywords: capacity building, case management, healthcare disparities, health services, living with HIV, pregnancy, rural health, women.

References

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