The Open Infectious Diseases Journal

2009, 3 : 13-20
Published online 2009 January 14. DOI: 10.2174/1874279300903010013
Publisher ID: TOIDJ-3-13

RESEARCH ARTICLE
 HIV Care Providers’ Role Legitimacy as Supporters of Their Patients’ Alcohol Reduction

Shiela M. Strauss, *,1 , Corrine Munoz-Plaza2 , Nelson J. Tiburcio2 , Stephen A. Maisto2 , Joseph Conigliaro4 , Marya Gwadz2 , Joseph Lunievicz2 and Robert Norman2
1 College of Nursing, New York University, New York, New York, USA
2 National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., New York, New York, USA
3 Department of Psychology, Center for Health and Behavior, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
4 Department of Psychology, Center for Health and Behavior, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
5 College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, New York, USA, USA

* Address correspondence to this author at the College of Nursing, New York University, 246 Greene Street, 616E, New York, New York 10003, USA.

ABSTRACT

Although HIV care providers are strategically situated to support their patients’ alcohol reduction efforts, many do not do so, sometimes failing to view this support as consistent with their roles. Using data collected from 112 HIV providers in 7 hospital-based HIV Care Centers in the NYC metropolitan area, this paper examines the correlates of providers’ role legitimacy as patients’ alcohol reduction supporters. Results indicate that providers (1) responsible for a very large number of patients and (2) with limited confidence in their own ability to give this assistance, but high confidence in their program’s ability to do so, were less likely to have a high level of role legitimacy as patients’ alcohol reduction supporters. Findings suggest the types of providers to target for alcohol reduction support training.