Objective: To examine, with population data from clients enrolled in publicly-funded care and treatment programs throughout California, time from first positive HIV result until enrollment into care and treatment. Methods: Our study population consisted of clients enrolled in the state Early Intervention Program (EIP) since 1997 -- after the widespread availability of HAART. We used a two-part statistical model. PART I examined with logistic regression the roughly 11% (n=256) of clients who received a positive result and were enrolled in care and treatment on the same day from those with values equal to 1 (day) or greater. PART II used linear regression on the log transformation of days for clients not diagnosed and enrolled on the same day. Included in the model were gender, age, family size, employment, primary source of healthcare, health insurance, public assistance, source of referral, and date of learning HIV infection. Results: PART I: Latinos were less likely than whites to have delayed care and treatment (OR=0.70, 95% CI=0.50,0.98). Injection drug users (IDU) were twice as likely to enroll in care and treatment later than Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) (OR=2.31, 95% CI=1.26,4.23). PART II: MSM/IDU (Beta=.38, 95% CI=0.09,0.68) and IDU (Beta=.39, 95% CI=0.15,0.63) took longer from the day they were diagnosed with HIV to obtain care and treatment than MSM. Conclusions: In California, the following paradox exists: HIV is increasingly affecting Latinos, but when learning of their infection, they benefit more than whites from same-day access to care and treatment.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Access to Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None