American Public Health Association, Atlanta, GA, October
2001
Hirsch-Moverman Y, Colson P,
Thomas G, Medard F, El-Sadr W. Characteristics of HIV-positive
and HIV-negative patients undergoing treatment for tuberculosis
(TB) in Harlem, NY.
Background:
Co-infection with HIV is a major issue in the management
of TB disease. However, the characteristics and needs of HIV+
patients have not been well defined in contrast to HIV- patients
undergoing treatment for TB.
Methods:
We assessed patients' demographic, substance use, and TB and
HIV knowledge & attitudes in a study of adherence to TB
treatment in Harlem.
Results:
Of 127 patients with HIV status known at baseline, about 94%
were African-American or Latino, mean age 42, and 64% male.
| |
HIV(+)
(n=47)
|
HIV(-)
(n=80)
|
P-value
|
| Married
(%) |
8.5
|
18.8
|
0.132
|
| Completed high school
(%) |
54.3
|
52.6
|
1.000
|
| Employed (%) |
2.1
|
20.0
|
0.005
|
| Foreign-born (%) |
8.5
|
41.3
|
<0.001
|
| Ever homeless (%) |
61.7
|
37.5
|
0.010
|
| Homeless in past year
(%) |
34.0
|
22.5
|
0.028
|
| Current drug use (%) |
51.1
|
26.3
|
0.007
|
| Current alcohol use
(%) |
36.2
|
37.5
|
1.000
|
| Current drug program
participation (%) |
34.0
|
6.3
|
<0.001
|
| Current alcohol program
participation (%) |
4.3
|
3.8
|
0.804
|
| TB knowledge score
(out of 24 points) |
16.0
|
14.9
|
0.079
|
| HIV knowledge score
(out of 12 points) |
9.0
|
8.0
|
0.002
|
Conclusions:
The HIV- patients are more likely to be employed and foreign-born.
HIV+ patients have many barriers to completion of therapy:
they are more likely to have a history of homelessness, and
report current drug use. However, their knowledge level of
TB and HIV is slightly better than the HIV- patients. Programs
to promote completion of TB treatment for these two populations
must assess patients' needs and develop appropriate interventions.
|
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