Objective: To assess differences in a Puerto Rican HIV/AIDS women cohort according to their HIV transmission mode: injecting drug use (IDU) and heterosexual contact. Design: Cross-sectional survey of a longitudinal cohort. Methods: Since 1992, the Retrovirus Registry of the Universidad Central del Caribe has been recruiting HIV/AIDS patients (n=1,901) in the Bayamón health service facilities. Chi square and t-tests analyses were performed to assess differences. Results: A high proportion of women in both groups were in a reproductive age, and most of them reported having had children. Most women belonging to the heterosexual group (84.7%) reported risky heterosexual behaviors, specially with a partner with HIV/AIDS or with an Injecting Drug User. A high proportion of the IDU's women reported more stress factors and other psychological events. Even if a similar CD4 counts median at baseline was found for both groups, the IDU group arrived more often in an advanced stage of the disease: 63% vs 52% arrived with clinical AIDS. Within the AIDS defining conditions, IDU's were found to have a significant association with PCP and non-oral candidiasis, and with symptoms such as idiopathic fever and night sweats. Conclusion: Preventive strategies should take into account that women could be unaware of their risk exposure to HIV infection or that they do not have the empowerment to insist on protected sexual practices with their partners. Sponsored by RCMI/NIH grant number G12RR03035 and CDC/ASD grant number U62/CCU206209.
Learning Objectives: 1. Evaluate differences of puerto rican HIV/AIDS women according to their HIV/AIDS transmission mode. 2. Discuss the implications of these findings for prevention among minority women
Keywords: Women and HIV/AIDS, Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.