The impact of a professionally-facilitated peer group intervention for HIV prevention among 400 low income Chilean women was examined using a quasi-experimental design. At three months post-intervention, the intervention group had higher HIV-related knowledge, more positive attitudes towards people living with HIV, fewer perceived condom use barriers, greater self-efficacy, higher HIV reduction behavioral intentions, more communication with partners about safer sex, and decreased depression symptoms. However, they did not have increased condom use or self-esteem. More attention to gender barriers is needed. This intervention offers a model for reducing HIV for women in Chile and other Latin American countries.

Objetivos. Indagar en las percepciones de los trabajadores de salud primaria (TSP) sobre los desafíos de atención de salud para población migrante. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo de caso múltiple en ocho comunas de Chile, mediante la técnica de bola de nieve se reclutó a 101 TSP y autoridades locales. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas y grupos focales, logrando saturación de información. Resultados. Los hallazgos fueron agrupados en dos grandes ejes temáticos: 1. Dificultades técnicas y administrativas, y 2. Percepción de barreras culturales. De acuerdo a los TSP, pese a que se han establecido normativas y se han generado estrategias de atención en salud para población migrante, estas, en su mayoría, no son estables ni conocidas por todos los TSP. Tampoco son fáciles de implementar en las diversas realidades investigadas. La ausencia de registros sobre el número de migrantes que accederán al sistema sanitario, dificulta el diseño de intervenciones específicas. Adicionalmente, la atención en salud presenta complicaciones, y los TSP no necesariamente poseen herramientas que les permitan brindar una atención que sea culturalmente sensible a las necesidades de la comunidad migrante. Conclusiones. Los hallazgos ponen en discusión los nuevos desafíos en salud que enfrenta Chile frente a la creciente población migrante. Las necesidades percibidas por TSP son: estabilidad y claridad en las normativas vigentes en relación a acceso y prestación de servicios, capacitación en normativas y la manera concreta en la que estas deben operar, y sensibilización en competencia cultural. Palabras clave: Migración Humana; Chile; Trabajadores de Salud; Atención Primaria de Salud. (fuente: DeCS BIREME). CHALLENGES IN THE HEALTH CARE OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS IN CHILE ABSTRACTObjectives. To investigate the perceptions of primary health workers (PHW) about the challenges of health care for migrants. Materials and methods. A qualitative multicase study was conducted in eight communes of Chile, using the snowball technique, where 101 PHW and local authorities were recruited. Semi-structured interviews and focal groups were conducted, achieving information saturation. Results. The findings were grouped into two major thematic axes: 1. Technical and administrative difficulties, and 2. Perception of cultural barriers. According to the PHW, although regulations have been established and health care strategies have been generated for the migrant population, these are mostly not stable or known to all PHW. They are also not easy to implement in the various realities investigated. The absence of records on the number of migrants accessing the health system makes it difficult to design specific interventions. Additionally, health care has complications, and the PHW do not necessarily have tools that allow them to provide a care that is culturally sensitive to the needs of the migrant community. Conclusions. The findings put into question the new challenges in health that Chile is facing in the face of the growing...

Purpose When healthcare workers have stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with HIV it may lead to discriminatory behavior that interferes with prevention, treatment, and care. This research examined the HIV-related stigmatizing attitudes reported by health workers in Santiago, Chile. Methods The study used focus group data from the first phase of a larger study to develop and test a HIV prevention intervention for Chilean health workers. Ten focus groups were conducted with Health workers in two communities in Santiago, Chile. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results Two central themes emerged: Societal stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV and healthcare system’s policies related to HIV. Both inaccurate fears of transmission among the general public and Chilean Health workers and societal prejudices against homosexuals contributed to stigmatization and discrimination. Conclusions Health workers did not recognize their own stigmatizing attitudes or discriminatory behaviors, but their discussion indicated that these behaviors and attitudes did exist. Healthcare system issues identified included problems with confidentiality due to the desire to inform other health workers about client HIV status. Health workers must be sensitized to the current stigmatization and misinformation associated with HIV and its negative impacts on persons living with HIV and the general community. Implications All clinical and non-clinical workers at community clinics need mandatory education for HIV prevention that focuses on changing attitudes as well as sharing knowledge. Also, the Chilean law protecting people living with HIV and the confidentiality of their medical care needs to be publicized, along with guidelines for its enactment in clinics and other health facilities.

Objective In Chile, little information about the use of standard precautions (SP) among health care workers (HCWs) exists. As part of a larger study to tailor and test an HIV prevention intervention for community HCWs, this study describes the observed frequency with which appropriate SP were used by HCWs in low-income community clinics of Santiago. Also, the availability of supplies is described. Sample A total of 52 structured observations with potential contamination with body fluids were done. Results HCWs used SP inconsistently, especially neglecting hand washing, surface cleaning, and cleaning of shared materials. Lack of materials contributed in some instances of failure to use SPs, especially wiping surfaces and safe disposal of sharp instruments, as shown by a positive correlation between use of SP and availability of materials. Essential materials were usually available. Although more education should relate to a better understanding of the importance of SP, no difference was found between professionals and paraprofessionals in the use of SP. Conclusions It is clear that the initial training, continuing education, and ongoing support for practicing SP are not adequate. Training should be offered to HCWs involved in caring for clients at community clinics to stop the spread of HIV or other infectious diseases in health care settings.