International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 9, Issue 11, 2012, Pages 4197-4209

HIV/AIDS and Associated conditions among HIV-infected refugees in minnesota, 2000-2007 (Article) (Open Access)

Lowther S.A. , Johnson G. , Hendel-Paterson B. , Nelson K. , Mamo B. , Krohn K. , Pessoa-Brandão L. , O'Fallon A. , Stauffer W.
  • a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS A-04, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Saint Paul, MN 55164, United States
  • b Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Saint Paul, MN 55164, United States
  • c Department of Medicine-Global Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States, HealthPartners Regions Hospital, Saint Paul, MN 55104, United States
  • d Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Saint Paul, MN 55164, United States, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States
  • e Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Saint Paul, MN 55164, United States
  • f Department of Medicine-Global Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States
  • g Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Saint Paul, MN 55164, United States
  • h Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Saint Paul, MN 55164, United States
  • i Department of Medicine-Global Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, United States, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States

Abstract

In 2010, the requirement for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing of adult refugees prior to US resettlement was removed, thus leading to a potential for missed diagnosis. We reviewed refugee health assessment data and medical charts to evaluate the health status of HIV-infected refugees who arrived in Minnesota during 2000-2007, prior to this 2010 policy change. Among 19,292 resettled adults, 174 were HIV-infected; 169 (97%) were African (median age 26.4 (range: 17-76) years). Charts were abstracted for 157 (124 (79%) with ≥1 year of follow-up). At initial presentation, two of 74 (3%) women were pregnant; 27% became pregnant during follow-up. HIV clinical stage varied (59%, asymptomatic; 11%, mild symptoms; 10%, advanced symptoms; 3%, severe symptoms; 17%, unknown); coinfections were common (51 tuberculosis, 13 hepatitis B, 13 parasites, four syphilis). Prior to arrival 4% had received antiretrovirals. Opportunistic infections were diagnosed among 13%; 2% died from AIDS-related causes. Arrival screening may be needed to identify these HIV-infected refugees and prevent HIV-related morbidity and mortality. © 2012 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Author Keywords

Refugees HIV Epidemiology Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome Emigration and immigration

Index Keywords

medical record review Negro morality HIV Infections refugee parasitosis Human immunodeficiency virus infection human epidemiology Refugees immigration middle aged Human immunodeficiency virus infected patient health status Aged death morbidity opportunistic infection antiretrovirus agent Minnesota Human immunodeficiency virus United States Young Adult school child Humans Adolescent male preschool child female tuberculosis emigration asymptomatic infection pregnancy Syphilis health services Article health care major clinical study adult disease severity hepatitis B acquired immune deficiency syndrome mixed infection Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84870768493&doi=10.3390%2fijerph9114197&partnerID=40&md5=5e66547d395bb901d9abac75d435438e
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph9114197
ISSN: 16617827
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English