Study examines characteristics, risk factors among HIV-positive persons born outside the US

July 22, 2012 in HIV & AIDS

An examination of the characteristics of persons born outside the United States diagnosed with HIV while living in the U.S. finds that, compared to U.S.-born persons with HIV, they are more likely to be Hispanic or Asian, and to have a higher percentage of HIV infections attributed to heterosexual contact, according to a study appearing in JAMA being published online.

H. Irene Hall, Ph.D., of the , Atlanta, presented the findings of the study at a media briefing at the International AIDS Conference.

"Persons born outside the comprise approximately 13 percent of the total U.S. population and represent a varied group of people, including students, , family members of U.S. citizens, undocumented migrants, naturalized citizens, and refugees," according to background information in the article. "Although more than 95 percent of persons with HIV in the world live outside the United States, an understanding of HIV infection in persons born outside but living in the United States allows for both a new perspective on HIV in this country as well as a better understanding of the and needs of persons born outside the United States." The authors add that it can be difficult for persons born outside the United States to learn about , access HIV testing, and obtain timely medical care because of language and cultural barriers.

Dr. Hall and colleagues examined the demographic, geographic, and risk factor characteristics of U.S.-born and persons born outside the U.S. who received a diagnosis of HIV while living in the U.S. from 2007 through 2010 in 46 states and 5 U.S. territories, as reported to the National HIV . The category of persons were defined as persons born outside the United States and its territories was inclusive of naturalized citizens.

The researchers found that from 2007 through 2010, a total of 191,697 persons received a diagnosis of HIV. Of these, 30,995 (16.2 percent) were born outside the United States. The 4 states (California, Florida, New York, and Texas) reporting the highest numbers of persons born outside the U.S. and diagnosed with HIV were also the top 4 states with HIV cases overall. The majority of HIV cases occurred in males (n = 124,863 [77.7 percent] among U.S.-born males vs. n = 22,773 [73.5 percent] among males born outside the United States).

Regarding race/ethnicity, the researchers found that the proportion of persons born outside the United States varied by category. "Of the 55,574 HIV diagnoses in whites, 1,841 (3.3 percent) were in persons born outside the U.S.; of 86,547 diagnoses in blacks, 8,614 (10.0 percent) were in persons born outside the U.S. Of the 42,431 HIV diagnoses in Hispanics, 17,913 (42.2 percent) were in persons born outside the U.S. Of 3,088 HIV diagnoses in Asians, 1,987 (64.3 percent) were in persons born outside the U.S."

Overall, 39.4 percent of HIV diagnoses in persons born outside the United States (men and women combined) were attributed to heterosexual contact; for U.S.-born persons, 27.2 percent was due to heterosexual contact. For both males born outside the U.S. and U.S.-born men, the majority of HIV diagnoses were in men who have male-to-male sexual contact.

Of the 25,255 persons diagnosed with HIV with a specified country or region of birth outside the United States, the most common region of birth origin was Central America (including Mexico; n = 10,343 [41.0 percent]), followed by the Caribbean (n = 5,418; 21.5 percent), Africa (n = 3,656; 14.5 percent), Asia (n = 1,995; 7.9 percent), and South America (n = 1,929; 7.6 percent).

The researchers note that the date of first entry into the United States is not collected on the HIV case report form, so it is not possible to know whether preceded or followed immigration.

"These findings demonstrate the diversity of the HIV-infected population born outside the United States, presenting many clinical and public health challenges," the authors conclude.

Mitchell H. Katz, M.D., of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, and Deputy Editor, Archives of Internal Medicine, writes in an accompanying editorial that the findings of this study "suggests that persons born outside the United States who reside in the United States are a heterogeneous group."

"This study and other studies suggest that these persons are in need of appropriate education and outreach, testing and treatment, and mental health services including specialized services for those who experience traumatic events in their home countries or during the immigration process, substance treatment for those addicted to drugs, as well as HIV care for those who are infected. Although these lessons may apply regardless of country of origin for HIV-infected persons, the effectiveness of these messages and interventions will require culturally relevant delivery to each specific population of immigrants."

More information:
doi:10.1001/JAMA.2012.9046
doi:10.1001/JAMA.2012.8670

Journal reference: Journal of the American Medical Association search and more info website JAMA Internal Medicine search and more info website

Provided by JAMA and Archives Journals search and more info website

not rated yet  

Rank not rated yet
Relevant PhysicsForums posts

More news stories

Integrating mental health care into HIV care

The integration of mental health interventions into HIV prevention and treatment platforms can reduce the opportunity costs of care and improve treatment outcomes, argues a new Policy Forum article published in this week's ...

HIV & AIDS created 5 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

After a decade, global AIDS program looks ahead

(AP)—The decade-old law that transformed the battle against HIV and AIDS in developing countries is at a crossroads. The dream of future generations freed from the epidemic is running up against an era ...

HIV & AIDS created 18 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

'Gap' for HIV vaccine efforts after latest setback

The hunt for an HIV vaccine has gobbled up $8 billion in the past decade, and the failure of the most recent efficacy trial has delivered yet another setback to 26 years of efforts.

HIV & AIDS created May 19, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

AIDS science at 30: 'Cure' now part of lexicon

Big names in medicine are set to give an upbeat assessment of the war on AIDS on Tuesday, 30 years after French researchers identified the virus that causes the disease.

HIV & AIDS created May 18, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Peer-referral programs can increase HIV-testing in emergency departments

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) have found that incorporating a peer-referral program for HIV testing into emergency departments can reach new groups of high-risk patients and brings more patients into the ...

HIV & AIDS created May 17, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0


If you can remember it, you can remember it wrong

(Medical Xpress)—Native peoples in regions where cameras are uncommon sometimes react with caution when their picture is taken. The fear that something must have been stolen from them to create the photo ...

B vitamins could delay dementia

(Medical Xpress)—Despite spending billions of dollars on research and development, drug companies have been unable to come up with effective treatments for dementia and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Now, A. ...

New sleeping pill poised to hit US markets

An experimental sleeping pill from US drug company Merck is effective at helping people fall and stay asleep, according to reviewers at the US Food and Drug Administration, which could soon approve the new drug.

Reducing caloric intake delays nerve cell loss

Activating an enzyme known to play a role in the anti-aging benefits of calorie restriction delays the loss of brain cells and preserves cognitive function in mice, according to a study published in the May ...

Insight into the dazzling impact of insulin in cells

Australian scientists have charted the path of insulin action in cells in precise detail like never before. This provides a comprehensive blueprint for understanding what goes wrong in diabetes.

Antidepressant reduces stress-induced heart condition

A drug commonly used to treat depression and anxiety may improve a stress-related heart condition in people with stable coronary heart disease, according to researchers at Duke Medicine.