Abstract
The purpose of this study was to observe differences in HIV characteristics between the foreign and U.S. born HIV population.
The study sample consisted of individuals, ≥13 years of age, who have been diagnosed with HIV and are patients of the Lexington
Bluegrass Care Clinic. For the comparison analysis, the sample was divided into two groups (n = 1070), foreign born and U.S.
born. Compared to U.S. born patients, foreign born patients were younger at the time of their HIV diagnosis (31 years vs.
36 years, P = 0.005), of Hispanic origin (63.1% vs. 1.1%, P < 0.001), and reported heterosexual contact as their mode of transmission (67.7% vs. 33.9% P < 0.001). Foreign born patients enrolled into care at a much lower CD4+ count and compared to the U.S. born, they were more
likely to be classified as late testers (53.9% vs. 32.8%, P = 0.006). There were many differences found between foreign born and U.S. born HIV patients. Upon enrolling into care, foreign
born individuals were more likely to have multiple OI’s and have an AIDS diagnosis. In regards to testing, foreign born individuals
were more likely to have tested late for HIV compared to their U.S. born counterparts.
The study sample consisted of individuals, ≥13 years of age, who have been diagnosed with HIV and are patients of the Lexington
Bluegrass Care Clinic. For the comparison analysis, the sample was divided into two groups (n = 1070), foreign born and U.S.
born. Compared to U.S. born patients, foreign born patients were younger at the time of their HIV diagnosis (31 years vs.
36 years, P = 0.005), of Hispanic origin (63.1% vs. 1.1%, P < 0.001), and reported heterosexual contact as their mode of transmission (67.7% vs. 33.9% P < 0.001). Foreign born patients enrolled into care at a much lower CD4+ count and compared to the U.S. born, they were more
likely to be classified as late testers (53.9% vs. 32.8%, P = 0.006). There were many differences found between foreign born and U.S. born HIV patients. Upon enrolling into care, foreign
born individuals were more likely to have multiple OI’s and have an AIDS diagnosis. In regards to testing, foreign born individuals
were more likely to have tested late for HIV compared to their U.S. born counterparts.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-011-9455-8
- Authors
- Tim Crawford, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The University of Kentucky, 201B College of Public Health Building, Lexington, KY 405036, USA
- Glyn Caldwell, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The University of Kentucky, 201B College of Public Health Building, Lexington, KY 405036, USA
- Heather M. Bush, Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, The University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY USA
- Steve Browning, Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The University of Kentucky, 201B College of Public Health Building, Lexington, KY 405036, USA
- Alice Thornton, College of Medicine, The University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912