The Johns Hopkins HIV Women's Health Program
About Our Program:
The Johns Hopkins HIV Women's Health Program was established in 1988 in response to the increasing number of women infected with HIV. The Program offers a full range of reproductive and comprehensive health services that address the special needs of women with HIV including: Perinatal care and antiretroviral expertise to reduce mother to child transmission of HIV; specialized gynecologic care, and identification of HIV infected women through a peer counseling and testing program. Our goal is to offer community based, culturally sensitive, coordinated and flexible care to women with HIV infection.
This program is funded thru the Congressional Ryan White Care Act Title I, II and IV Programs. No one is turned away because of lack of funds. The program staff, most of whom are women, have many years experience working with HIV+ women and share a long-term commitment to this work, with respect and deep concern for those affected by the HIV epidemic.
Women with HIV:
Women infected with HIV have unique reproductive health needs that require knowledge and expertise specific to HIV and AIDS. Women now represent 27% nationally, and 40% in the Baltimore area of all new HIV/AIDS cases. Heterosexual transmission is now the leading risk of HIV transmission in adolescent and adult women representing 78% of new infections in 2004. HIV disproportionately impacts minority women. African American and Hispanic women represent 25% of the nations' population yet 81% of HIV/AIDS cases are among this group. AIDS is the leading cause of death in young African American women age 25-34 and regardless of race HIV/AIDS is the 6th leading cause of death in the US for all women age 25-34. (CDC HIV/AIDS Fact Sheet)
Certain prevention challenges are unique to women. Biologic differences of women, including the susceptibility of the vaginal lining to sexually transmitted infection and hormonal changes, mother to child HIV transmission; and social inequalities in relationships with male partners, contribute to prevention efforts, the need for increased intervention efforts, and reproductive health care, by programs specifically designed to assist women.
Common Gynecologic and Obstetrical issues/complications:
Cervical cancer: The impact of HIV on the progression and prevalence of cervical dysplasia led to the addition of Cervical Cancer as an AIDS defining condition. Women with HIV are 10 more likely to have an abnormal Pap smear (cervical cancer screening test), than HIV negative women and may require more frequent screening for cervical changes. Evidence also indicates that HIV positive women are at greater risk of lower genitalia tract dysplasias of the vagina, vulva and anus.
Contraceptive choices: Co-morbid conditions and HIV treatment may require special counseling requirement when making contraception choices for women infected with HIV, including drug interactions with antiretroviral therapy and hormonal contraception or medical contraindications.
Gynecologic Infection: HIV may alter the natural history and treatment response of common vaginal infections, sexually transmitted infections including human Papilloma virus and genital ulcers.
Preconception Counseling: Includes counseling on safe conception and prevention of partner transmission, healthy pregnancy, and antiretroviral treatment during pregnancy to reduce mother to child transmission.
HIV and Pregnancy: Advances in HIV treatment with antiretroviral drugs has changed the face of the HIV epidemic from a fatal disease to a chronic condition for those receiving treatment. Highly active antiretroviral therapy has dramatically reduced the risk of transmission of HIV from mother to child to 1-2% or less. Preconception counseling, safe conception, and expert perinatal HIV care using highly active antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy has opened the door for infected women to pursue a normal life and family.
Clinical Services:
Obstetrical service (Halo Program) is available for women who are HIV infected and pregnant. Complete Ob care and primary HIV care during pregnancy are provided by a small group of obstetricians, who are experienced in the use of HIV medications in pregnancy, and in methods to reduce transmission from mother to child.
Obstetrical patients receive peer outreach counseling and support during the perinatal period, additional perinatal risk reduction counseling, and act as a resource for other support services. After deliver, patient referral for primary care for both mother and child is available with counseling support until both mother and child have established primary care.
Comprehensive Gynecologic Services: Services are provided by Physicians, Physician East Baltimore medical campus, and the Johns Hopkins Outpatient cAssistant and a nurse practitioner and services are available at the enter at Green Spring Station. (connect to site). Services include annual gynecologic exams, routine pap smear, evaluation and treatment of abnormal Pap smears, treatment of gynecologic and sexually transmitted infections, evaluation and treatment of menstrual disorders and other gynecologic conditions, contraception for prevention of unwanted pregnancy, pre- conception counseling, access to primary care, and HIV outreach services.
Outreach Services:
HIV Counseling and Referral Service HIV counseling and testing is available and includes HIV testing obstetrical patients, partner testing, and testing through community and street outreach.
Community and Street Outreach: Peer counselors provide community education, HIV prevention counseling and case management and primary care referral for HIV infected individuals identified through community outreach.
Our Staff:
Jean Anderson, MD
Program Director
Jean Keller, PAC
Program Manager
Clinical HIV GYN Specialists:
- Jean Anderson, MD
- Judy Lee, MD
- Catherine Sewell, MD
- Jean Keller, PAC
Nursing Supervisor-Outreach:
- Eileen Sheridan-Malone, RN
Outreach Staff
- Rosemary Ramroop
- Sabrina McCray
- Jennifer Gaver
- Jessida Ojeda
- Altrica Belk
Support Staff:
- Connie Pennington
Supervisor
- Robin Adams
- Adriana Froman
Appointment Information:
- Johns Hopkins HIV Women's Program (Moore Clinic)
410-955-1725
(Ryan White funds are available to uninsured patients)
- Green Spring Station
410-583-2749
- Perinatal (HALO)
410-955-6700
- Counseling and testing information
410 614-3023
Additional Information:
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