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Justice Mbizo, MS, DrPH (c), Public Health Department, School of Graduate Studies, Morgan State University, 1700 E. Coldspring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251, 443-226-1758, jmbizo@morgan.edu and Mian Bazle Hossain, MSC, MHS, PhD, MPH/DrPH Public Health Program, Morgan State University, 343 Jenkins Building, 1700 E. Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251-0001.
Objective: Using data from the 1996-1998 longitudinal HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS), this study examines the impact of a regular source of care when first tested HIV-positive on access to and utilization of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) among HIV/AIDS infected African-Americans. Variations in utilization of HIV/AIDS therapy have been reported in the general population. Further research is needed to assess the association between having a regular source of care at the time of HIV-diagnosis and antiretroviral therapy (HAART) utilization patterns within any racial group. Intra-racial studies are needed to better understand the barriers faced by different racial groups. Methods: A sample size (n=959) of African-Americans ages 18 and older is abstracted from the HCSUS data set and analyzed using STATA software. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis and logistic regression were performed. Results: To examine the association between regular source of medical care and the utilization of HAART several logistic regression models has been performed. Logistic results show that African Americans who had a usual source of care when they tested HIV-positive are 1.4 times more likely to be on HAART. Conclusion: Whereas HIV-positive patients experience some barriers to HAART, HIV-positive African Americans have additional systematic barriers to overcome. Implications for public health policy will be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Access to Care, African American
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.