AIDS mortality among Puerto Ricans and other Hispanics in New York City, 1981-1987

Article Abstract:

In the United States, the incidence of AIDS is not the same in all populations. Usually AIDS data are separated into various ethnic and racial groups, one of which is Hispanic. However, the Hispanic population in the US is very diverse, with a number of different national and ethnic origins. The epidemiology of AIDS is influenced by distinctive cultural patterns of social and sexual behavior, differences in geographic distribution of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection, and variations in migratory patterns of the different population groups. This study of death records of AIDS patients in New York City revealed that the mortality for Puerto Rican men is significantly higher than for other groups (362 per 100,000 deaths, compared with 267 for blacks, 182 for whites, and 217 for other Hispanic males). In 1987, AIDS accounted for 10 percent of all deaths among the Puerto Rican-born, compared with 12 percent of deaths among other Hispanics (including US-born Puerto Ricans), 6 percent among blacks and 2 percent among whites. There is a potential bias in these statistics; it is suggested that there is underreporting of AIDS among patients who are treated by private physicians, rather than in clinics and public hospitals. Several characteristics of the Puerto Rican population in New York that may differentiate it from other Hispanic groups are that they marry within their own group more than other groups and they are more likely to have sex with other Puerto Ricans than with people of other groups. Needle-sharing is another activity that is generally done within the Puerto Rican community. These factors may help to prevent the spread of disease to other groups, but they also intensify the spread within the New York City Puerto Rican community. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

United States, Patient outcomes, Mortality, New York, New York, New York, AIDS patients, Hispanic Americans, Puerto Ricans, New York (City), Puerto Ricans in the United States

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AIDS heterosexual predominance in the Dominican Republic

Article Abstract:

In the Dominican Republic, a number of factors contribute to the epidemiology of AIDS within the population. The rate of sexually transmitted diseases is high, many tourists visit the country, many citizens live outside of the country in areas where HIV prevalence is high, and many prostitutes work in several countries. This study examined the epidemiology of AIDS in the Dominican Republic from the first reported case in 1983 to December 1989. Data were obtained from the national surveillance system for AIDS. A total of 1,202 AIDS cases were reported during the study period. The 1989 AIDS case rate was 7 cases per 100,000 population, with the highest rates geographically found to be in districts surrounding the tourist resorts. Of the total cases reported, 43 percent were reported in 1989 and 69 percent involved males. The male to female ratio had declined each year since 1983. During the first four years, male homosexual contact was the predominant risk factor for HIV infection. In the last three years, heterosexual contact was the predominant risk factor. Blood transfusions were associated with 6 percent of cases in 1989, and IV drug use was associated with only a few cases. Young adults were the most highly affected group by age. These results indicate that initially the pattern of the AIDS epidemic in the Dominican Republic closely resembled that seen in the United States and Europe. The pattern rapidly changed, with heterosexuals now the predominate group infected. This information can be used to identify high risk groups and to gear prevention programs towards these groups. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sexually transmitted diseases, Social aspects, Prevention, HIV (Viruses), HIV, Sexually transmitted disease prevention, Dominican Republic, HIV seroprevalence

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National AIDS incidence trends and the extent of zidovudine therapy in selected demographic and transmission groups

Article Abstract:

Since mid-1987, the number of AIDS cases among homosexual and bisexual men, hemophiliacs and other recipients of transfusions has decreased. However, the number of AIDS cases among intravenous drug users and those who acquired the disease through heterosexual contacts has increased. Further analysis of these demographic groups showed that the incidence of AIDS has decreased among white gay men from urban areas such as New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco, while there was no change in the incidence among nonwhite gay men from suburban or rural areas. The trends in the change in incidence were related to access to medical care and the use of the drug zidovudine by gays, hemophiliacs and recipients of transfusions. Zidovudine began to be nationally distributed during mid-1987. Data from the study support the theory that zidovudine use, and perhaps the use of other therapies, such as pentamidine prophylaxis against pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis carinii, and suppression of the herpes virus, contributes to the decreased incidence of AIDS in some groups and not others. It is important that zidovudine and other therapies become available to other groups, especially intravenous drugs users and those infected through heterosexual relationships, including minorities, women and those living outside of urban areas. It is felt that these groups do not have adequate access to treatment and that a decreased incidence of AIDS would also be seen in these groups if these treatments were available. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Diseases, Drug therapy, Gay men, Zidovudine, Intravenous drug abuse

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