PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS OF HOME-DELIVERED MEALS PROGRAMS FOR PERSONS WITH HIV AND AIDS

The nutritional status of persons with HIV and AIDS [PWAs] is constant ly challenged throughout the progression of the illness. Home-delivere d meals programs for PWAs are rapidly developing across the country to address this problem among the growing population of people with HIV infection and AIDS. This study examined client socio-demographic chara cteristics (sex, age, ethnicity), types of services offered by these p rograms, organizational and financial criteria, and characteristics of survey respondents. Data for this study was obtained from 15 of the 1 7 known home-delivered meals programs for PWAs in the United States th rough an original, cross-sectional survey instrument conducted by tele phone interview between March 1994 and May 1994. Results from this stu dy show an increase in the number of minority populations who particip ate in these programs (36% African-American and 12% Hispanic vs. 51% C aucasian), as well as women (17.2%) and children (7%). Geographic loca tion was an important determinant for program eligibility. The number of meals served weekly varied greatly (from 510 to 12,600 per week). O ther significant services included nutrition counselling, newsletters, and holiday-basket programs. Enhancing service-delivery systems was o ne of the more prevalent ''high-priority'' concerns cited, especially with regard to food quality and safety. These results show that these programs are catering increasingly to minority populations, women and children, and that they are expanding their services to meet the growi ng needs of their client populations. These findings suggest that ther e is a greater need for meals and other home-based services for person s living with HN and AIDS.