AIDS and Hemophilia: Implications for Interventions with Families

Abstract

Informational needs of hemophiliacs must first be assessed to develop effective educational and prevention programs. A survey of 132 hemophilia patients and family members was conducted to determine the information needs, the preferred source of information and the patients' knowledge of AIDS. Results indicated that the major source of information for the patients was the media; the preferred source was the hemophilia treatment center. Most patients wanted more information about the treatment of AIDS and how to cope with the stresses of AIDS. Although patients indicated that they had received sufficient information about the sexual transmission of AIDS, answers to knowledge questions indicated important misconceptions. Results are discussed with respect to the development of educational and prevention programs for hemophiliacs and their families.

Developing theory‐based risk‐reduction interventions for HIV‐positive young people with haemophilia

“…In 1990, the largest group of young people infected with HIV was boys and young men with haemophilia. Seropositive young people with haemophilia had been shown to have high levels of factual knowledge about HIV and its transmission [7,8]. On the other hand, this knowledge did not generally result in consistent safer sex behaviours [8,9].…”

Hemophilia and AIDS in married men: Functioning of family members.

“…Intravenous infusion of clotting factor concentrates derived from donor pools of human plasma are highly effective in the treatment of hemophilic bleeding episodes and have been widely used since 1970. Hemophiliacs can treat themselves with the concentrates at home in a more timely fashion than was formerly possible, thus improving quality of life and lengthening the life-span (Mason, Olson, Myers, Huszti, & Kenning, 1989). Unfortunately, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the donor blood supply was contaminated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), resulting in the infection of 60% of individuals with hemophilia (Dew, Ragni, & Nimorwicz, 1990).…”