Delays in seeking HIV care due to competing caregiver responsibilities.

Stein, M D; Crystal, S; Cunningham, W E; Ananthanarayanan, A; Andersen, R M; Turner, B J; Zierler, S; Morton, S et al. · Am J Public Health · 2000

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

This study sought to describe the characteristics of HIV-infected persons who delay medical care for themselves because they are caring for others. HIV-infected adults (n = 2864) enrolled in the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (1996-1997) were interviewed. The odds were 1.6 times greater for women than for men to put off care (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2, 2.2); persons without insurance and with CD4 cell counts above 500 were also significantly more likely to put off care. Having a child in the household was associated with putting off care (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.4, 2.3). Women or individuals with a child in the household should be offered services that might allow them to avoid delays in seeking their own medical care.

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