Healthcare Utilization, Unmet Service Needs, and HIV Treatment Outcomes among Racial/Ethnic Groups

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate possible racial/ethnic differences regarding service utilization, linkage to care, and medication adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Methods: PLWHA (N = 142) 18 years or older were recruited from a needs assessment project conducted in Nevada in 2016. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire. The study variables included participants’ race/ethnicity (Caucasian, African-American, and Hispanic), service utilization, unmet service needs, linkage to care, and medication adherence. Significant between-group (race/ethnicity) differences regarding service utilization, linkage to care, and medication adherence were assessed. Results: There were no statistically significant between-group differences regarding utilized services, unmet service needs, linkage to care, and medication adherence (p > .05). However, there were statistically significant between-group differences for 4 individual utilized services. For example, African-American participants were 72% less likely to have utilized medical care services than Caucasians (AOR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.10-0.74) and Hispanics were 84% less likely to have utilized mental health services than Caucasians (AOR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.04-0.60). Conclusions: Health disparities among racial/ethnic groups exist, specifically regarding certain individual medical and support services. Federal and regional programs must allocate funding to address specific service needs and improve healthcare services for certain racial/ethnic groups.