Disadvantaged people with HIV feel healthcare discrimination

Source: Medscape

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) May 03 - Almost 40% of transitional housing residents with HIV infection report that they have experienced discrimination in their dealings with the healthcare system, researchers report in the May-June issue of Public Health Reports.

"Providers taking care of severely disadvantaged, HIV-infected patients, like those in our sample," lead researcher Dr. Nancy Sohler told Reuters Health, "should be aware that many of their patients may experience, perceive, and/or fear discrimination from within the healthcare system."

Dr. Sohler of City University of New York and colleagues surveyed 523 New York City area residents of temporary housing facilities for people with HIV.

Perceived discrimination was determined by asking participants if someone in the healthcare system had ever shown hostility or lack of respect toward them, ever paid less attention to them than others, or had ever refused them service.

In all, 39.6% responded positively, and were deemed to have experienced discrimination. Of this group, 59.8% concluded that an underlying reason was HIV infection, 49.8% cited drug use, 34.6% said it was because of homelessness, and race and ethnicity were implicated by 35.2%.

Perceived discrimination was significantly associated with the duration of infection, use of non-prescription opioids, being white, being female, and younger age.

Those who perceived discrimination were significantly more likely to give lower ratings of the quality of healthcare and for trust in HIV care providers.

"Our data," concluded Dr. Sohler, "show that perceived discrimination is a strong and consistent predictor of poor ratings of the healthcare system, which may negatively influence health behaviors. Thus, it is crucial for providers to address discrimination with their patients."

Public Health Rep 2007;122:347-355.