According to the authors of a study from Sacramento, California, 'Timely treatment of HIV infection is a public health priority, yet many HIV-positive persons delay treatment initiation. We conducted a community-based study comparing HIV-positive persons who received an HIV diagnosis at least 3 months ago but had not initiated care (n = 100) with a reference population of HIV-positive persons currently in care (n = 115) to identify potential barriers to treatment initiation.'
'Study participants were mostly male (78.0%), and persons of color (54.9% Latino, 26.3% black), with median age 37.8 years. Median time since HIV diagnosis was 3.7 years. Univariate analysis revealed that those never in care differed substantially from those currently in care with regard to sociodemographics; HIV testing and counseling experiences; perceived barriers to care; and knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding HIV. Factors independently associated with never initiating HIV care were younger age (adjusted odds ratio [ AOR] = 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88, 0.99), shorter time since diagnosis (AOR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.98), lacking insurance (AOR=0.11; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.35), not knowing someone with HIV/AIDS (AOR = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.30) not disclosing HIV status (AOR= 0.13; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.70), not receiving help making an HIV care appointment after diagnosis (AOR = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.14), and not wanting to think about being HIV positive (AOR = 3.57; 95% CI: 1.22, 10.46),' wrote R.A. Pollini and colleagues (see also HIV/AIDS).
The researchers concluded: 'Our findings suggest that isolation and stigma remain significant barriers to initiating HIV care in populations consisting primarily of persons of color, and that direct linkages to HIV care at the time of diagnosis are critical to promoting timely care initiation in these populations.'
Pollini and colleagues published the results of their research in Aids Patient Care and STDS (A Community-Based Study of Barriers to HIV Care Initiation. Aids Patient Care and STDS, 2011;25(10):601-609).
For additional information, contact R.A. Pollini, California Dept. of Public Health, Center Infectious Disease, Off AIDS, Sacramento, CA, United States.
The publisher of the journal Aids Patient Care and STDS can be contacted at: Mary Ann Liebert Inc., 140 Huguenot Street, 3RD Fl, New Rochelle, NY 10801, USA.
Keywords: City:Sacramento, State:California, Country:United States, Region:North and Central America, RNA Viruses, Retroviridae, Vertebrate Viruses, Primate Lentiviruses, Viral Sexually Transmitted Diseases
This article was prepared by Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Health & Medicine Week via NewsRx.com.
