Internal Medicine Journal
Volume 37, Issue 5, 2007, Pages 290-294

Good outcome in HIV-infected refugees after resettlement in New Zealand: Population study (Article)

Nisbet S.M.* , Reeve A.M. , Ellis-Pegler R.B. , Woodhouse A.F. , Ingram R.J. , Roberts S.A. , McAllister S.M. , Thomas M.G.
  • a Department of Infectious Diseases, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand, Department of Infectious Disease, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland 1001, New Zealand
  • b Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
  • c Department of Infectious Diseases, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
  • d Department of Infectious Diseases, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
  • e Department of Infectious Diseases, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
  • f Department of Infectious Diseases, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
  • g AIDS Epidemiology Group, University of Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand
  • h Department of Infectious Diseases, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract

Background: The aims of this study were to determine the clinical characteristics on arrival and the subsequent clinical outcome of HIV-infected UN quota refugees who settled in New Zealand during the last 11 years and to estimate their rate of HIV transmission. Methods: A population study was conducted. Data were provided by the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre, the infectious disease physicians caring for the subjects, the New Zealand AIDS Epidemiology Group and laboratories carrying out HIV viral load assays. Results: One hundred of 7732 (1.3%) UN quota refugees were HIV positive; mean age 30 years, 56% were men, median initial CD4 count was 320 (range 20-1358). HIV infection was most commonly acquired by heterosexual intercourse (74%). The median follow up was 5.0 years (range 1 month to 9.7 years). Five died and 15 subjects had 16 AIDS-defining illnesses, most commonly tuberculosis (n = 10). Sixty subjects commenced highly active antiretroviral therapy of whom 36/59 (61%) had an undetectable HIV viral load after 1 year of treatment. None of the six children born to HIV-infected women in New Zealand were infected. There were two known cases of horizontal transmission of HIV infection. Conclusion: Although HIV-infected quota refugees often have to overcome severe social, cultural and financial handicaps, their clinical outcome is generally very good, with response rates to highly active antiretroviral therapy that are similar to other patient groups. Furthermore, they have not been a significant source of transmission of HIV infection after resettlement in New Zealand. © 2007 The Authors.

Author Keywords

HIV New Zealand Refugee

Index Keywords

HIV Infections refugee clinical research Human immunodeficiency virus infection follow up human highly active antiretroviral therapy Refugees comorbidity immigration middle aged controlled study priority journal Medical Audit antiretrovirus agent Human immunodeficiency virus prevalence heterosexuality Humans Adolescent Treatment Outcome male female Child, Preschool population research Article Retrospective Studies health care organization major clinical study adult New Zealand virus load data analysis virus transmission Emigration and Immigration Anti-HIV Agents Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-34248351070&doi=10.1111%2fj.1445-5994.2007.01335.x&partnerID=40&md5=7d25766b1216570926847c0ab771ccd0
DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2007.01335.x
ISSN: 14440903
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English