Abstract
In the US, HIV disproportionately affects Latinos who often present late in the disease. Baltimore has seen a recent rapid
growth in its Latino population paralleled by an increasing impact of HIV/AIDS among Latinos. From 2009 to 2010, we performed
a cross-sectional survey of Latinos accessing the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) Latino Outreach services to assess
self-report of previous HIV testing, with particular attention to migration history and risk behaviors. Of 247 Latinos (46%
male) accessing BCHD outreach services, 96% were foreign-born. Self-perceived HIV risk was not associated with actual risk
behaviors or HIV testing. In multivariate models, previous HIV testing was correlated with knowledge of HIV transmission modes
and knowing that a person with HIV can appear healthy. Consistent with CDC recommendations, HIV screening among Latino immigrants
should not be limited to individuals with self-perceived risk for HIV. Promoting key pieces of HIV knowledge may improve HIV
testing behaviors.
growth in its Latino population paralleled by an increasing impact of HIV/AIDS among Latinos. From 2009 to 2010, we performed
a cross-sectional survey of Latinos accessing the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) Latino Outreach services to assess
self-report of previous HIV testing, with particular attention to migration history and risk behaviors. Of 247 Latinos (46%
male) accessing BCHD outreach services, 96% were foreign-born. Self-perceived HIV risk was not associated with actual risk
behaviors or HIV testing. In multivariate models, previous HIV testing was correlated with knowledge of HIV transmission modes
and knowing that a person with HIV can appear healthy. Consistent with CDC recommendations, HIV screening among Latino immigrants
should not be limited to individuals with self-perceived risk for HIV. Promoting key pieces of HIV knowledge may improve HIV
testing behaviors.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9573-y
- Authors
- Nadine E. Chen, Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, San Diego, CA 92093-0507, USA
- Jaimie P. Meyer, Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Robert Bollinger, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MA, USA
- Kathleen R. Page, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MA, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912