REGION : Latina Care Givers Sought for Survey

The USC School of Social Work will pay Latina women $20 for a confidential interview about caring for a loved one with AIDS.

The purpose of the survey, financed through the state health and welfare agency, is to find out what services are lacking for Latinas who care for or have cared for a friend or relative with AIDS.

“We’re trying to understand what kind of stress these women are under and what kinds of services they want to make their job of care-giving an easier one,” said survey project manager Sharon Hudson.

The project is modeled after a similar study of gay men in San Francisco, and organizers hope to use the results to help create the services identified by the women interviewed.

Since March, about 40 surveys have been conducted, and organizers are hoping to reach 300 women over the next two years. All survey-takers are bilingual.

Hudson said the survey is geared toward Latina women because, traditionally, they are the care givers for the sick in their communities.

To participate, call Dr. Helen Land at (213) 740-0299.