Foglia G, Farr RW; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1996 Jul 7-12; 11: 128 (abstract no. Mo.C.1419).

West Virginia University, Dept of Medicine, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Ctr, Morgantown, WV. Fax: (304) 293-8824.

Objective: An epidemiologic profile was complied using CDC guidelines published in June 1995 to provide a descriptive understanding of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among various, rural West Virginia populations and to identify characteristics of HIV-infected persons in defined public health districts who need prevention services. Four key questions were addressed and include: 1) the sociodemographic characteristics of the WV population, 2) the impact of HIV/AIDS on the population, 3) who is at risk for becoming infected with HIV and 4) the geographic distribution of HIV infections. Data was obtained from the WV Bureau for Public Health HIV/AIDS reporting system surveillance which included HIV cases reported (1989-1993) and AIDS cases reported (1984-1993).Results: Of the 456 total AIDS cases reported cumulatively from 1984-1993, blacks were disproportionately affected, comprising a much higher proportion of AIDS cases than the general population proportion. HIV is the 5th leading cause of death among persons aged 25-44 and the leading cause of death of blacks 25-44 in West Virginia where approximately 1000-1600 persons are estimated to currently be living with HIV. The predominant mode of HIV exposure has been male-to-male sexual contact, accounting for 57% of all AIDS cases, followed by IVDU (13%) and Heterosexual contact (7%). Public Health District #1 represents the greatest proportion of HIV-infected women where 63% of HIV-infected women reported IVDU as a risk factor. Sociodemographic and racial/ethnic factors seem to play a role in the greater prevalence of HIV/AIDS noted in the southern region of West Virginia.Conclusion: Data from this epidemiologic profile suggest more aggressive educational intervention in rural Public Health District #1 to curtail the HIV/AIDS epidemic noted especially among black women.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• African Americans
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Humans
• Male
• Prevalence
• Risk Factors
• West Virginia

Other ID:

• 96921479

UI: 102217378

From Meeting Abstracts