Welfare Homes for Patients Living with HIV/AIDS in Andalusia

Aims: To study the AIDS welfare homes (AWHs) in Andalusia, assess their resources and the services provided, and describe the characteristics of their residents. Patients and Methods: Cross-sectional, observational study; an interview questionnaire technique was used with the managers and the residents of the AWHs. Results: A total of 7 AWHs and 96 residents were included; 32% of the staff were health care workers and 45.5% volunteers. The occupancy rate was 86% (2007) and 96% (2008). Residents’ characteristics: mean age 45.6 years, 73% male, 92% with at least 1 AIDS-defining disease, median Karnofsky index 60 (50-80), and median Barthel index 80 (40-100). Half the residents had physical sequelae and 31% mental sequelae. Conclusion: The AWHs perform an important role in the care of certain types of patients with HIV infection. They require human and material resources to be able to tackle the immense difficulties associated with this group of patients.