 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
María Luisa Zúñiga, PhD1, Michael E. Tarter, PhD2, Rosana Scolari, BA3, Alisa Maria Olshefsky, BA4, Karen B. Haye4, and Kurt C. Organista, PhD2. (1) Division of Community Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Dept. 0927, La Jolla, CA 92093, 619-681-0689, Mzuniga@ucsd.edu, (2) University of California at Berkeley, 779 University Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720-7400, (3) San Ysidro Health Center, 4004 Beyer Boulevard, San Ysidro, CA 92173, (4) School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Dept. 0927, La Jolla, CA 92093
Introduction: Limited information is available on bi-national health care utilization practices of HIV+ Latinos who live and work along the US-Mexico border. Understanding border crossing dynamics and bi-national healthcare utilization practices in HIV+ populations is an important consideration for client health and adequate local and bi-national coordination and planning.
Methods: HIV+ clients who live or work in the US-Mexico border region are identified and recruited from four community clinics in San Diego and Imperial County. Voluntary and informed consent is obtained and a series of six survey instruments is completed on each person. Health status information is abstracted through chart reviews.
Results: Of 116 Latino respondents, 64% reported 12 or more roundtrips to Mexico within the last year (range 12-365 days). Analysis of length of time lived in Mexico and border crossing frequency indicate a significant relationship between length of time spent in Mexico each year and frequency of border crossings (pearson correlation coefficient +.343, p value = .0001). Respondents reported accessing health services in Mexico within the last year. Sixty persons (~50%) obtained medications in Mexico, 35% (41 persons) sought HIV medical care in Mexico, and 34% (39 persons) indicated receiving non-HIV medical care in Mexico. Only 23% (27 persons) indicated seeking traditional medications or herbs in Mexico.
Conclusions: HIV+ Latinos living in the US-Mexico border region cross and access HIV and non-HIV medical care on both sides of the border. Documentation of this health access behavior is important for HIV care and bi-national coordination efforts along the border.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Latino
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.