Sexual health and medicine at the WIR-Walk In Ruhr: presentation of the center and results of the evaluation

We present the results achieved at WIR.METHODS: A mixed-method design of qualitative and quantitative surveys.RESULTS: The WIR reaches more women (27.7%) and heterosexuals (56.4%) than other counseling/test centers. The rate of positive test results at the WIR increased from 9.3% in 2017 to 12.6% in 2018 and progress from prevention to medical care is a significant aspect of WIR. The Federal Ministry of Health has externally evaluated WIR for over three years.DISCUSSION: The integrative care model of WIR allows for early outreach and treatment of individuals with HIV/ST infections. Health advisors remain an important instrument facilitating outreach and psychosocial/psychotherapeutic counseling is administered frequently. Such a multi-layered approach in prevention, testing, and consultation, leads to improvement in both medical outcomes and the self-responsible attitude of patients towards their sexual health. Hence, expansion of integrative care models like WIR on a wider scale could arguably contribute to better health service and sexual health.PMID:34283268 | DOI:10.1007/s00103-021-03382-1

Source: Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz - July 20, 2021 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Anja Potthoff Adriane Skaletz-Rorowski Sandeep Nambiar Wiltrud Knebel-Brockmeyer Andre Kasper Janet Wach Arne Kayser Britta K öhler Norbert H Brockmeyer Source Type: research