Minorities, the poor, and survivors of abuse: HIV-infected patients in the US deep South.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
BACKGROUND: The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S. South is undergoing a marked shift toward a greater proportion of new HIV/AIDS cases in women, African-Americans, and through heterosexual transmission. METHODS: Using consecutive sampling, 611 participants were interviewed from eight Infectious Diseases clinics in five southeastern states in 2001 to 2002. RESULTS: Sixty four percent of participants were African-American, 31% were female, and 43% acquired HIV through heterosexual sex; 25% had private health insurance. Eighty-one percent were on antiretroviral therapy, and 46% had HIV RNA viral loads (VL) <400. Women and racial/ethnic minorities were less likely to be on antiretrovirals and to have VL <400. Probable psychiatric disorders (54%) and history of childhood sexual (30%) and physical abuse (21%) were common. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention and care systems need to address the HIV epidemic's shift into poor, minority, and female populations. High levels of trauma and probable psychiatric disorders indicate a need to assess for and address these conditions in HIV clinical care.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Pence, BW; Reif, S; Whetten, K; Leserman, J; Stangl, D; Swartz, M; Thielman, N; Mugavero, MJ
Published Date
- November 2007
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 100 / 11
Start / End Page
- 1114 - 1122
PubMed ID
- 17984744
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0038-4348
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1097/01.smj.0000286756.54607.9f
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States