Binational Care-Seeking Behavior and Health-Related Quality of Life Among HIV-Infected Latinos in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region

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• 作者：Marí ; a Luisa Zú ; ñ ; iga PhD ; Estela Blanco MPH ; MA ; Jesse J. Brennan MA ; Rosana Scolari BA ; Irina V. Artamonova MS ; Steffanie A. Strathdee PhD [Author vitae]
• 关键词：access to care ; AIDS ; HIV ; quality of life ; U.S.-Mexico border
• 刊名：Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
• 出版年：2011
• 出版时间：May-June 2011
• 年：2011
• 卷：22
• 期：3
• 页码：162-172
• 全文大小：117 K

文摘

Although binational health care–seeking is common among HIV-infected Latinos living near the U.S.-Mexico border, information is lacking on whether regional indicators of health access are associated with Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL). This study examined health care–seeking behaviors across four HRQL domains (emotional well-being, cognitive functioning, physical functioning, and pain) using linear regression. HIV-infected Latinos (n = 239) were recruited from U.S. community clinics situated near the border shared by California with Mexico. In general, the Spanish-speaking (81 % ) and male-dominant (84 % ) population had positive indicators of HRQL. AIDS diagnosis predicted poorer HRQL (cognitive functioning, physical functioning, and pain), as did receipt of traditional medications and/or herbs in Mexico (physical functioning and pain). Staying for 1 or more months in Mexico in the past year was associated with higher cognitive functioning and less pain. Border-related factors were inconsistently implicated in HRQL measures. Improved understanding of complementary and alternative medicine usage by HIV-infected Latinos is warranted.