325025
Age, barriers and other factors related to HIV retention by women of color
Objective: Age related risk exposure may compete with engagement and retention in HIV care.
Methods: Enhancing Access for HIV+ Women of Color’ Initiative through the Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS), enrollment 2010- 2014 at 10 sites around the US, followed HIV+ women and compares women of childbearing ages 18-24, 25-34, and 35-44. In-person interviews included socio-demographic, barriers to care, risks, HIV medication, AIDS diagnosis, and 18 month retention.
Results: 549/ 921 were <45: 87 (15.8%) aged 18-24: 190 aged 25-34 (34.8%), and 272 aged 35-44(49.5%). 67% were African American, 28% Latina and 5% multi-ethnic. 15.5% had an AIDS diagnosis;13.9% unstably housed; and 27.8% domestic violence. Among age groups, youngest <25 were more likely to be newly diagnosed (P<.05); ages 35-34 have sporadic or lost care; ages 35-44 least likely to be newly diagnosed. Youngest had highest retention rates (75.8%) and all other >60%. Substance abuse and sexual risks increase with age. Use of ART, adherence, illness/disease were also positively related to age. Only 31% of all women reported knowing their CD4 count and 18% reported knowing their VL.
Conclusions: Important age differences exist in HIV-related health, mental health, disease burden, and retention. HIV engagement must be based on life-course needs. Low health knowledge among all ages underscores the need for more health education to optimize health and bridge gaps along the HIV Care Continuum.
Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programsLearning Objectives:
Evaluate and describe how to tailor interventions with age and life-course consideration.
Keyword(s): HIV/AIDS, HRSA
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been conducting research on HIV among vulnerable populations since the 1990s. I use quantitative methods to explore relationships among barriers to care and other social and behavioral factors. Results from my work appear in peer-reviewed journals and at public health meetings.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.