Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiologia Clinica
Volume 25, Issue 7, 2007, Pages 441-445

HIV infection in immigrants: Clinical and epidemiological differences as compared to the native population in a Health Area in Madrid (2002-2004) [Infección por el VIH en inmigrantes: Diferencias clínico-epidemiológicas con la población autóctona en un área de salud de la Comunidad de Madrid (2001-2004)] (Article)

Hernando Jerez A.* , García-Cerrada C. , Ortega F.P. , García R.R. , Gómez R.H. , González C.C. , Pérez-Herrero J.R.C.
  • a Departamento de Especialidades Médicas, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain, Departamento de Especialidades Médicas, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Tajo, s/n, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
  • b Unidad VIH, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
  • c Unidad VIH, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
  • d Unidad VIH, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
  • e Unidad VIH, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
  • f Unidad VIH, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
  • g Unidad VIH, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. To describe the incidence and characteristics of immigrant patients attended in a dedicated HIV Unit in Madrid (Spain). METHODS. Cross-sectional study including all patients whose first visit to our HIV Unit took place between January 2001 and December 2004. RESULTS. Among a total of 516 new patients seen during the study period, 101 (19.6%) were immigrants (59% from Latin America, 27% from sub-Saharan Africa). Considering only patients who had not received previous clinical care in other centers (n = 298), 25.5% were immigrants. As compared to Spanish patients, there was a higher proportion of women among the immigrant population (40% vs. 26%: P = 0.008), age was lower (35 vs. 38 years; P = 0.003), and educational level was higher (39% vs. 13% secondary or higher education; P < 0.0001), with no statistical differences regarding employment (37% vs. 27% were unemployed; P= 0.07). Sexual transmission was more frequent among immigrants (85% vs. 37%; P< 0.0001), but the main sexual route of infection in both groups was heterosexual contact (71% and 66%). There were no differences in the baseline clinical, immunological, or virological status. CONCLUSION. A large number of new patients attended for the first time in a dedicated HIV Clinic in Madrid were immigrants. Although these patients showed some differences in demographic characteristics and the mechanism of HIV transmission, no significant differences were found in their clinical or immunological characteristics as compared to Spanish patients.

Author Keywords

AIDS HIV infection immigrants

Index Keywords

educational status immigrant South and Central America Human immunodeficiency virus infection demography immigration human sex difference controlled study Human immunodeficiency virus infected patient Human immunodeficiency virus prevalence statistical significance sexually transmitted disease heterosexuality epidemiological data male Spain female Africa immunology Article adult virus transmission employment
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-34548169820&doi=10.1157%2f13108708&partnerID=40&md5=bb0aecd266fc184664fd10d345e7a54f
DOI: 10.1157/13108708
ISSN: 0213005X
Cited by: 14
Original Language: Spanish