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Community-based participatory research with AIDS Ministries/AIDS Assist

AIDS Ministries/AIDS Assist (AM/AA) is a community-based organization that provides education and testing as well as much needed care coordination for persons living with HIV (PLWH) in north central Indiana. Resources are stretched thin, thus decisions about programming and services must be prioritized and be data-informed while ensuring quality.  A partnership between AM/AA and the UND was established to assess AM/AA’s programming and services to determine strengths, weaknesses and new opportunities. Working within the framework of community-based participatory research, the research team has identified priority areas of research. Research projects completed in the past focused on: (a) distance as a barrier to care, (b) barriers to care for PLWH post Affordable Care Act implementation, (c) assessment of HIV prevention education, and (d) mental health among PLWH. 

Research Focus

  • Epidemiology

    At the EIGH, our researchers use epidemiology to understand the distribution and determinants of the health and disease conditions in specific populations, and to identify risk factors for certain diseases. This allows them to develop, implement, and measure the impact of targeted, preventative healthcare methods. 

  • Infectious Diseases

    At the EIGH, our researchers work to combat a number of various illnesses, including infectious diseases caused by organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. These diseases can also be spread from one person to another and may be transmitted from animals to humans. 

  • Maternal/Child and Community Health

    At the EIGH, our researchers explore multifaceted health issues pertaining to women, pregnancy, breastfeeding, reproduction, and infant and child well-being. Our focus to decrease maternal and infant mortality rates supports a global priority among health practitioners and researchers. Additionally, community-based research on the local and global levels promotes a team effort to protect and improve the health of population groups worldwide. 

  • Mental Health

    At the EIGH, our researchers explore the multifactorial conditions which can introduce mental health issues into local and global communities. Focus areas include underserved and resource poor-communities, regions with socio-economic, infrastructure, or political instability, paternal and maternal mental health, and child mental wellness. Additionally, community-based research on the local and global levels promotes a team effort to protect and improve the health of population groups worldwide. 

Who’s Involved

EIGH Faculty

Global Partners

  • AIDS Ministries/AIDS Assist, Indiana

University of Notre Dame Partnerships

  • Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics
  • Hillebrand Center for Compassionate Care in Medicine

Additional Information

Publications

Scott, A., & Beidinger-Burnett, H. Barriers to Care for Persons Living With HIV Post Affordable Care Act Implementation in Northern Indiana.

Capstone Projects

Keranen, J. (2018). Access to Mental Healthcare for People Living with HIV in Northern Indiana: An Appreciative Inquiry.

Aragon, D. (2017). Mental Healthcare Utilization Among People Living with HIV. 

Tran, T. (2017). The Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of Health Care Providers (HCPs) on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylactic (PrEP).

Barber, K. (2016). Distance and the Health Status of Persons Living with HIV. 

Nyakaisiki, L. (2015). Development of a new pre-test and post-test tool to assess knowledge acquisition of participants during HIV/AIDS education sessions conducted by a local care coordination organization. 

 

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