Health status of HIV-infected women of color in rural and urban sites entering HIV care

Background and Methods: In 2009, the HIV/AIDS Bureau funded a multi-site initiative to engage and retain in care women of color living with HIV. Data were collected from 633 HIV-infected WOC at 3 rural, 6 urban sites using standardized multi-site surveys that included demographics, general health status, HIV health status, HIV-related illnesses, and women's health issues. Significance of differences in percentages between groups was assessed using Chi-square tests, or exact statistics at P <0.05 (**).

Results. In contrast to rural women (R), more urban (U) women reported a history of AIDS ** (22%U vs. 13%R), and more days with a depressed mood in the last month**(72%U vs. 63%R), compared with rural (R) women. More rural women reported having excellent/very good general health** (23%U vs. 30%R) and reported having “very healthy days” in the last month (76%U vs. 84%R)**. Rural women also reported more vaginal yeast infections** (46%U vs. 63%R), sexually transmitted infections** (40%U vs. 50%R), trichomoniasis** (18%U vs. 32%R), and current pregnancy** (14%U vs. 27%R). Hypertension** (18%U vs. 32%R) was also reported more frequently by rural women. Also noted, rural women reported more chlamydia and heart problems and urban women reported more genital herpes, chronic pain and hepatitis C but these did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion. Urban women have a lower health status and more AIDS than rural HIV+ women, whereas, rural women are more likely to report STIs and to be pregnant at the time of the interview.