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American Indians, Alaska Natives face barriers to HIV care
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American Indians and Alaska Natives in care for HIV achieve viral suppression at a rate similar to or higher than other racial or ethnic groups, though below national prevention goals, and face a number of barriers to achieving or maintaining suppression, researchers reported in MMWR.
In 2016, the CDC reported that HIV diagnoses among American Indians (AIs) and Alaska Natives (ANs) increased by 70% between 2011 and 2016, and that AI/AN patients had the fourth-highest HIV infection diagnosis rate among all racial or ethnic groups.
To learn more about the characteristics of these patients, researchers analyzed data from the Medical Monitorial Project, a surveillance system that collects information about people diagnosed with HIV. The data were collected between 2011 and 2015 among AIs and ANs receiving HIV medical care.
They reported that 64% of AI/AN patients receiving care achieved sustained viral suppression and that 76% achieved viral suppression at their most recent viral load test within the previous 12 months. The rates were “below the national HIV prevention goal of 80%, but comparable to or better than some other racial/ethnic groups,” the researchers wrote.
Fifty-one percent of AI/AN patients with HIV infection reported incomes at or below the annual poverty limit; 27%, symptoms of depression; 78%, internalized HIV-related stigma; and 20%, binge drinking in the prior 30 days.
“Because of historical factors affecting AI/AN populations, AI/AN patients receiving HIV care face unique circumstances that might interfere with their ability to achieve sustained viral suppression, including a high prevalence of poverty, depression, stigma and substance use,” the researchers concluded.
“It is important that HIV providers and clinics screen for these issues and offer referrals to mental health services and HIV peer group support as appropriate. Many community-based and trial organizations are positioned to help AI/AN populations access culturally appropriate HIV and ancillary services to improve their health outcomes and reduce HIV-related health disparities.” – by Bruce Thiel
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.
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