More socioeconomic challenges for hispanic women with HIV

(HealthDay)—Hispanic/Latino women with HIV infection face more socioeconomic and language challenges than men, but the clinical outcomes are similar, according to research published in the Oct. 12 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Ruth E. Luna-Gierke, M.P.H., from the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention at the CDC in Atlanta, and colleagues analyzed data from the 2013 and 2014 cycles of the Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) to describe demographic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics among Hispanics/Latinos by sex. The MMP collected information about behaviors, medical care, and clinical outcomes among adults receiving HIV care during 2013 to 2014.

The researchers found that compared with men, Hispanic/Latina women were significantly more likely to live in poverty (78 versus 54 percent), report not speaking English well (38 versus 21 percent), and receive ancillary services, including interpreters (27 versus 16 percent), transportation (35 versus 21 percent), and meals (44 versus 26 percent). Prescription of antiretroviral therapy (95 versus 96 percent) and sustained viral suppression (68 versus 73 percent) did not differ significantly between Hispanic/Latino women and men.

"Although the lack of disparity in viral suppression among Hispanic/Latino men and women in HIV care is encouraging, work still remains to decrease ethnic disparities and attain national prevention goals among this population," the authors write.

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