PAIT: Comprehensive Treatment Adherence Programmefor people with HIV+/AIDS (Barcelona)

The Comprehensive Treatment Adherence Programme (PAIT) is a service for people over 18 living with HIV, their relatives, partners or people in their close circle, and anyone interested in prevention and HIV. It is a project subsidised by the Department of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

It is carried out within the HIV Unit of Bellvitge Hospital and at the premises of Fundación Salud y Comunidad.

The main objective of our intervention is to improve overall health (emotional and physical) and to address the different needs that people with HIV and/or their family and close circle may experience, promoting adherence to the prescribed treatment.

In addition, one of the keys to our work lies in HIV prevention and awareness-raising in order to try to reduce the social stigma surrounding HIV, through training activities, dissemination of information materials, active participation in networks and in working groups of different  public administrations, distribution of prevention materials (male and female condoms, lubricants), participation in social activism events and commemorations: World AIDS Day, World Testing Day, Zero Discrimination Day (organised by UNAIDS), and the preparation of advocacy documents. We also take part in the Comité 1 de Diciembre, a platform of HIV organisations in Catalonia.

Our main objectives are:

• To promote the physical, psychosocial and emotional well-being of people with HIV.
• To provide information about HIV.
• To achieve good adherence to drug treatment.
• To provide support in the process of accepting the diagnosis.
• To address prevention with a focus on comprehensive health.
• To address social needs, making referrals to public network resources.

Our working methodology

• Individual psychological care
• Group care (therapeutic group for people with HIV)
• Family care
• Close coordination with the health and social network.
• Networking with other social organisations.