Abstract

HURTADO, Isabel et al. Effect of distinct sociodemographic variables on progression of HIV infection in a cohort of drug users. Gac Sanit [online]. 2008, vol.22, n.6, pp.541-546. ISSN 0213-9111.

Objective: To analyze whether the effectiveness of combined antiretroviral therapy in delaying progression to AIDS and death is affected by social inequities in a cohort of HIV-positive injecting drug users (IDUs). Methods: A cohort of 3,122 HIV-positive IDUs identified in the AIDS Information and Prevention Centers of the autonomous region of Valencia was analyzed, with further follow-up in 1,876. Progression to AIDS and death after seroconversion were calculated by Kaplan-Meier estimation according to sociodemographic variables (age, sex, education, marital status, length of addiction). Cox regression models were also fitted. Results: No significant differences were observed according to the variables considered when analyzing time to AIDS development. Evaluation of survival time revealed that individuals with further follow-up showed an excess of mortality (HR = 1.35; 95%CI: 0.20-1.54). For individuals without follow-up, mortality risk was reduced in those with secondary school education (HR = 0.51; 95%CI: 0.35-0.74) and with university education (HR = 0.41; 95%CI: 0.18-0.93) compared with those with no education. When individuals with follow-up were analyzed, the differences lost significance for those with secondary school education (HR = 0.92; 95%CI: 0.72-1.19) and university education (HR = 0.62; 95%CI: 0.35-1.11). Conclusions: The mortality excess found in IDUs with lower educational levels, especially among those not seeking healthcare in the initial period after being identified as HIV-positive, highlights the need for interventions aimed at facilitating access to health systems, especially among the socially disadvantaged.

Keywords : HIV; Death; Injecting drug users; Cohort; Socio-demographic differences.

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