Differences in Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes Among Hispanic/Latino Men and Women Receiving HIV Medical Care — United States, 2013–2014

Ruth E. Luna-Gierke, MPH1; R. Luke Shouse, MD1; Qingwei Luo, MS1,2; Emma Frazier, PhD1; Guangnan Chen, MD1,2; Linda Beer, PhD1 (View author affiliations)

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Summary

What is already known about this topic?

The prevalence of diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among Hispanics/Latinos in the United States is approximately twice that of non-Hispanic whites. Describing Hispanics/Latinos with HIV-infection in medical care by sex could inform service delivery.

What is added by this report?

During 2013–2014, among Hispanics/Latinos with HIV infection in care, women were significantly more likely than were men to live in poverty, have English language difficulties, and receive ancillary services. Prescription of antiretroviral therapy and sustained viral suppression did not significantly differ by sex.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Providers should be cognizant of the challenges faced by Hispanics/Latinos with HIV-infection in care and provide referrals to needed ancillary services.

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The prevalence of diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among Hispanics/Latinos in the United States is approximately twice that of non-Hispanic whites (1). Barriers to, and experiences with, medical care have been found to vary by sex (2). Describing characteristics of Hispanics/Latinos in care by sex can help identify disparities and inform delivery of tailored services to this underserved population. Data from the 2013 and 2014 cycles of the Medical Monitoring Project (MMP) were analyzed to describe demographic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics among Hispanics/Latinos by sex. MMP is an annual cross-sectional, nationally representative surveillance system that, during 2013–2014, collected information about behaviors, medical care, and clinical outcomes among adults receiving outpatient HIV care. Hispanic/Latina women were significantly more likely than were men to live in poverty (78% versus 54%), report not speaking English well (38% versus 21%), and receive interpreter (27% versus 16%), transportation (35% versus 21%), and meal (44% versus 26%) services. There were no significant differences between Hispanic/Latino women and men in prescription of antiretroviral therapy (ART) (95% versus 96%) or sustained viral suppression (68% versus 73%). Although women faced greater socioeconomic and language-related challenges, the clinical outcomes among Hispanic/Latina women were similar to those among men, perhaps reflecting their higher use of ancillary services. Levels of viral suppression for Hispanics/Latinos are lower than those found among non-Hispanic whites (3) and lower than the national prevention goal of at least 80% of persons with diagnosed HIV infection. Providers should be cognizant of the challenges faced by Hispanics/Latinos with HIV infection in care and provide referrals to needed ancillary services.

MMP data were collected annually during 2013–2014 using three consecutive sampling stages (states and territories, outpatient HIV facilities, and patients), and response rates for the two cycle-years of data that were included in the analysis were 100% (states and territories), 85%–86% (outpatient HIV facilities) and 55%–56% (patients). Data were collected using face-to-face or telephone interviews and medical record abstraction from June 2013 through May 2015.

The analysis included 1,774 men and 577 women who self-identified as Hispanic or Latino, regardless of race. Data were self-reported from the interview and abstracted from the respondent’s medical record. Data were weighted based on known probabilities of selection and adjusted for facility and patient non-response. Rao-Scott chi-square tests were used to assess differences by sex; p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Selected sociodemographic and behavioral variables, use of ancillary services, and clinical outcomes are presented by sex. All analyses accounted for the complex sample design and weights.

Women were significantly more likely than were men to live in poverty (78% versus 54%), live in a household with ≥1 dependents aged <18 years (66% versus 37%), have public insurance coverage (72% versus 54%) and, among those living outside of Puerto Rico, report not speaking English well (38% versus 21%) (Table 1). Compared with men, women were less likely to have more than a high school education (28% versus 47%), be employed (29% versus 48%), have any private insurance (14% versus 22%), and have been born outside the United States (36% versus 45%). Women most often reported their country or region of origin in the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico) (38%), followed by the mainland United States (33%). Men most often reported the mainland United States as their country or region of origin (36%), followed by Mexico and Central America (32%) (Table 1). Women were also less likely than were men to report using stimulants (3% versus 10%), non-injection drugs (8% versus 23%), injection drugs (0.4% versus 3%), or any opioids (0.8% versus 3%) (Table 2). Women were more likely than men to receive interpreter (27% versus 16%), transportation (35% versus 21%), and meal services (44% versus 26%). Women did not report a greater unmet need for these services than did men. Among women and men, prescription of antiretroviral therapy (95% versus 96%) and prevalence of sustained viral suppression (68% versus 73%) did not significantly differ.

Discussion

Compared with men, more Hispanic/Latina women with HIV infection in care faced socioeconomic and language-related challenges than did men; however, they had similar prevalences of ART prescription and viral suppression. Hispanic/Latina women used ancillary services at higher rates than did Hispanic/Latino men, perhaps mitigating the effects of the noted challenges on their clinical outcomes.

The poverty rate among Hispanics or Latinos in the United States is approximately twice that of non-Hispanic whites, and women live in poverty at higher rates than do men (4). This study found that 78% of Hispanic/Latina women receiving HIV care lived at or below the federal household poverty level, compared with 54% of men. Poverty is known to affect management of HIV infection and is a paramount concern affecting all stages of the HIV care continuum (5). Some ART regimens require food; thus, lack of food might lead to nonadherence. Lack of transportation might pose barriers to attending medical appointments and obtaining medications. Women’s higher receipt of meal and transportation services might have helped alleviate the negative consequences of food insecurity and lack of transportation on their clinical outcomes.

Among racial and ethnic groups in the United States, Hispanics/Latinos are the group least likely to have any health insurance coverage (6). In this study, 22% of Hispanic/Latino men and 14% of Hispanic/Latina women had any private health insurance. However, 72% of Hispanic/Latina women and 54% of men relied on public insurance only. Taken together, 87% of women and 76% of men had some type of coverage. The higher coverage among women might also have contributed to similar clinical outcomes between men and women. Moreover, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides comprehensive care as well as support services for persons living with HIV infection who have no insurance or are underinsured and is associated with improved clinical outcomes among persons in poverty (7).

Overall, 38% of women and 21% of men reported not speaking English well, which can affect ability to understand a provider’s instructions and ability to navigate the health care system (8). In addition, the language barrier might prevent care providers from understanding the patient and could lead to missed opportunities to provide needed support or direction. Bilingual providers or interpreter services might have mitigated linguistic barriers.

Lower levels of substance abuse might also have contributed to better clinical outcomes among Hispanic/Latina women receiving HIV care. Persons who use drugs have been found to have lower levels of adherence (9) and, therefore, lower levels of sustained viral suppression, which is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality and preventing transmission to others.

Hispanics/Latinos in HIV care still have higher levels of unmet need for services when compared with other populations (10). Although no disparities between men and women in sustained viral suppression among Hispanics/Latinos were identified, levels are still lower than those found among non-Hispanic whites (3) and lower than the national prevention goal of at least 80% viral suppression for persons with diagnosed HIV infection.

Through partnerships that use a high-impact approach to advancing national HIV prevention goals, CDC works to improve health outcomes and reduce HIV transmission among all Americans. CDC provides support and assistance to health departments and community-based organizations deliver effective interventions to decrease HIV incidence among Hispanic/Latinos, improve their health outcomes, and reduce transmission. CDC also raises awareness about HIV among Hispanics/Latinos through Partnering and Communicating Together to Act Against AIDS (PACT),* which includes the National Hispanic Medical Association and is part of the larger Act Against AIDS initiative.

The findings in this report are subject to at least three limitations. First, the results might not be applicable to Hispanic/Latinos living with HIV infection who are not receiving medical care. Second, behavioral characteristics are self-reported and thus, might be subject to measurement error as well as reporting and social desirability biases. Finally, data were adjusted to minimize nonresponse bias based on known characteristics of sampled facilities and patients; however, the possibility of residual nonresponse bias exists.

Hispanic/Latino men and women with HIV-infection in care differ from one another in their behavioral and sociodemographic characteristics. Hispanic/Latina women receiving HIV care face more socioeconomic and language-related challenges than do men. However, rates of ART prescription and sustained viral suppression did not differ between Hispanic/Latino men and women, perhaps reflecting Hispanic/Latina women’s greater use of ancillary services. It is important for providers to be cognizant of the challenges faced by this population and assist with access to needed ancillary services. Although the lack of disparity in viral suppression among Hispanic/Latino men and women in HIV care is encouraging, work still remains to decrease ethnic disparities and attain national prevention goals among this population.

Corresponding author: Ruth E. Luna-Gierke, RGierke@cdc.gov.


1Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC; 2ICF International, Fairfax, Virginia.

All authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.


References

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  2. US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Women’s health USA 2013. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau; 2013. https://mchb.hrsa.gov/whusa13/
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TABLE 1. Selected characteristics of Hispanics/Latinos receiving medical care for diagnosed HIV infection, by sex — United States, 2013–2014*Return to your place in the text
Characteristic Total (N = 2,351) Men (N = 1,774) Women (N = 577) Rao-Scott chi-square p-value comparing men and women
No. % (95% CI) No. % (95% CI) No. % (95% CI)
Educational attainment
<High school 741 33.5 (29.4–37.7) 487 29.2 (25.4–33.0) 254 48.0 (38.5–57.4) <0.0001
High school diploma or GED 571 24.1 (22.2–26.1) 435 24.3 (21.9–26.7) 136 23.6 (20.0–27.2)
>High School 1,038 42.3 (37.8–46.8) 852 46.5 (42.2–50.8) 186 28.4 (19.6–37.3)
Employment
Employed 1,028 43.2 (39.3–47.1) 860 47.5 (43.9–51.1) 168 28.8 (24.2–33.3) <0.0001
Unemployed 415 19.6 (17.2–21.9) 322 20.0 (17.7–22.3) 93 18.2 (13.2–23.1)
Other 908 37.3 (32.7–41.8) 592 32.5 (28.9–36.2) 316 53.1 (46.1–60.0)
Annual household income
<$19,999 1,642 73.3 (70.0–76.5) 1,174 69.9 (66.5–73.3) 468 84.0 (80.9–87.1) <0.0001
$20,000–$39,999 411 18.4 (16.1–20.6) 343 20.4 (18.0–22.7) 68 12.1 (9.1–15.0)
≥$40,000 179 8.4 (6.7–10.0) 153 9.8 (7.7–11.8) 26 3.9 (2.5–5.4)
No. of household dependents aged <18 years
0 565 54.7 (50.7–58.7) 449 63.2 (58.6–67.9) 116 34.1 (25.8–42.3) <0.0001
1–2 374 37.0 (33.4–40.5) 204 29.9 (25.7–34.2) 170 53.9 (46.6–61.2)
≥3 85 8.4 (6.6–10.1) 49 6.8 (4.8–8.8) 36 12.1 (7.8–16.3)
Household poverty level§
Above 891 40.7 (36.2–45.2) 766 46.5 (42.3–50.8) 125 22.2 (18.1–26.3) <0.0001
At or below 1,340 59.3 (54.8–63.8) 904 53.5 (49.2–57.7) 436 77.8 (73.7–81.9)
Health coverage or coverage for medications
Any private insurance 454 20.4 (17.7–23.2) 375 22.3 (19.2–25.3) 79 14.3 (11.1–17.5) <0.0001
Public insurance only 1,363 57.9 (50.7–65.0) 954 53.6 (47.4–59.8) 409 72.2 (63.8–80.6)
Uninsured or Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program coverage only 481 21.7 (15.3–28.0) 411 24.1 (18.2–30.1) 70 13.5 (6.3–20.7)
Homeless 155 7.2 (5.7–8.7) 129 7.9 (6.3–9.6) 26 4.6 (2.9–6.4) 0.0015
HIV acquisition risk
MSM 1,031 44.4 (39.4–49.4) 1,031 57.8 (53.8–61.8) N/A N/A N/A
IDU 189 7.9 (6.3–9.6) 146 7.9 (5.7–10.1) 43 7.9 (5.5–10.4) N/A
MSM and IDU 55 2.3 (1.5–3.1) 55 3.0 (2.0–4.0) N/A N/A N/A
Heterosexual contact 405 16.3 (12.4–20.1) 119 7.0 (5.3–8.8) 286 46.8 (38.2–55.4) N/A
Other** 671 29.1 (26.7–31.5) 423 24.2 (21.8–26.6) 248 45.3 (37.4–53.2) N/A
Speaks English (mainland United States only)
Well/Very well 1,400 75.4 (72.5–78.3) 1,153 79.0 (76.2–81.9) 247 62.0 (56.1–67.8) <0.0001
Not well/Not well at all 473 24.6 (21.7–27.5) 317 21.0 (18.1–23.8) 156 38.0 (32.2–43.9)
Foreign born 982 43.2 (33.1–53.4) 786 45.3 (36.4–54.2) 196 36.4 (22.6–50.2) 0.0007
Country or region of origin
Mainland United States 751 35.5 (28.3–42.8) 586 36.4 (29.7–43.0) 165 32.8 (22.7–42.9) <0.0001
Mexico and Central America 706 29.9 (21.7–38.2) 568 31.6 (24.3–38.8) 138 24.6 (13.1–36.0)
South America 142 6.8 (4.5–9.1) 118 7.5 (5.1–9.8) 24 4.6 (1.9–7.3)
Caribbean (including Puerto Rico) 741 27.8 (11.7–43.8) 492 24.6 (10.6–38.6) 249 38.1 (16.9–59.3)
Median years of U.S. residence (range)†† 19.7 (0–62) 19.7 (0–62) 19.3 (0–59)

Abbreviations: CI = confidence interval; GED = General Educational Development; HIV = human immunodeficiency virus; IDU = injection drug user; MSM = men who have sex with men; N/A = not applicable.
* Numbers might not sum to total because of missing data. Percentages might not sum to 100 because of rounding. All estimates are based on self-report from interview except where otherwise noted. All estimates are based on the 12 months preceding interview except where otherwise noted.
Percentages are weighted percentages. 95% confidence intervals incorporate weighted percentages.
§ Poverty guidelines as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/faq.cfm.
Living on the street, in a shelter, in a single-room-occupancy hotel, or in a car.
** Includes hemophilia, blood transfusion, perinatal exposure, and risk factor not reported or not identified.
†† Among persons who were foreign-born.

TABLE 2. Selected behaviors and clinical outcomes of Hispanics/Latinos receiving medical care for diagnosed HIV infection, by sex — United States, 2013–2014*Return to your place in the text
Behavior/Clinical outcome Total (N = 2,351) Men (N = 1,774) Women (N = 577) Rao-Scott chi-square p-value comparing men and women
No. % (95% CI) No. % (95% CI) No. % (95% CI)
Meets criteria for depression, past 2 weeks
No 1,854 80.2 (78.4–81.9) 1,425 81.6 (79.8–83.4) 429 75.5 (71.9–79.1) 0.0058
Other depression 235 9.7 (8.2–11.1) 166 9.1 (7.7–10.6) 69 11.3 (8.6–14.0)
Major depression 235 10.2 (8.6–11.7) 160 9.3 (7.7–10.8) 75 13.2 (9.7–16.7)
Substance use
Binge drinking in past 30 days 401 16.6 (14.7–18.6) 353 19.3 (16.9–21.6) 48 8.0 (4.9–11.1) <0.0001
Non-IDU 423 19.5 (16.7–22.3) 380 23.1 (20.0–26.2) 43 7.7 (5.4–10.0) <0.0001
IDU 58 2.3 (1.7–2.9) 54 2.9 (2.1–3.7) 4 0.4§ (0.1–0.7) <0.0001
Stimulant use 197 8.5 (7.1–9.9) 178 10.2 (8.4–12.0) 19 2.9 (1.3–4.6) <0.0001
Any opioid use 65 2.6 (1.9–3.2) 59 3.1 (2.3–3.9) 6 0.8§ (0.1–1.6) 0.002
Receipt of services
Interpreter 420 18.9 (14.1–23.7) 283 16.4 (12.9–19.9) 137 27.1 (15.8–38.4) 0.0063
Transportation 550 24.5 (20.6–28.3) 364 21.4 (18.0–24.7) 186 34.8 (25.5–44.0) 0.0006
Meal 713 30.5 (27.4–33.7) 467 26.4 (23.4–29.4) 246 44.1 (39.4–48.8) <0.0001
Unmet need for services
Interpreter 23 0.8 (0.4–1.3) 16 0.8§ (0.3–1.3) 7 0.9§ (0.2–1.7) 0.7522
Transportation 224 9.4 (7.8–10.9) 165 9.2 (7.5–10.9) 59 10.0 (7.1–12.8) 0.5992
Meal 213 8.8 (7.5–10.2) 161 8.9 (7.4–10.3) 52 8.7 (6.2–11.2) 0.9237
STD screening
Gonorrhea 1,334 54.1 (48.7–59.5) 1,020 55.0 (49.8–60.1) 314 51.2 (42.0–60.4) 0.3408
Chlamydia 1,325 53.9 (48.8–59.1) 1,013 54.7 (49.8–59.7) 312 51.2 (42.6–59.9) 0.3425
Syphilis 1,694 70.4 (67.2–73.7) 1,317 72.5 (69.1–75.8) 377 63.7 (57.3–70.2) 0.0069
ART prescribed 2,244 95.9 (95.1–96.7) 1,698 96.1 (95.2–97.0) 546 95.1 (93.2–97.1) 0.3652
Adherent, past 3 days** 1,939 88.5 (86.7–90.3) 1,461 88.1 (86.3–89.8) 478 90.1 (86.4–93.7) 0.3078
Sustained viral suppression 1,707 71.8 (69.4–74.2) 1,311 72.9 (70.2–75.6) 396 68.0 (62.7–73.3) 0.0888

Abbreviations: ART = antiretroviral therapy; CI = confidence interval; HIV = human immunodeficiency virus; IDU = injection drug use; STD = sexually transmitted disease.
* Numbers might not sum to total because of missing data. Percentages might not sum to 100 because of rounding. All estimates are based on self-report from interview except where otherwise noted. All estimates are based on the 12 months preceding interview except where otherwise noted.
Percentages are weighted percentages. 95% confidence intervals incorporate weighted percentages.
§ Coefficient of variation >0.30; estimate might be unstable.
Estimates from medical record abstraction. Abstractions were performed at the usual source of outpatient HIV medical care in the 12 months before the last care visit.
** Among persons taking ART, took 100% of ART doses in the past 3 days.


Suggested citation for this article: Luna-Gierke RE, Shouse RL, Luo Q, Frazier E, Chen G, Beer L. Differences in Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes Among Hispanic/Latino Men and Women Receiving HIV Medical Care — United States, 2013–2014. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018;67:1109–1114. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6740a2.

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