Comprehensive care improves quality of life. Right. The poster is attached.
[him] moderator
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HIV care and treatment for Burmese migrants living in Thailand
T. Maung Maung1, C. Maung2, A. Palmer3, E. Brandson3, W. Zhang3, A. Mochinski1, E. Mills3, J. Montaner3,4, R. Hogg1,3
1Simon Fraser University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Vancouver, Canada, 2Mae Tao Clinic, Mae Sot, Thailand, 3British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Drug Treatment Program, Vancouver, Canada, 4University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver, Canada
Background: Rates of HIV in Burma are suspected to be one of the highest in Asia. However, access to accurate data is limited. Human rights violations and economic factors cause many Burmese, especially ethnic minorities, to flee to neighbouring countries. Inside Thailand, illegal migrants may experience oppressive conditions and access to HIV services is limited. Our aim was to take a preliminary look at the first 150 interviews with HIV-positive migrant workers collected from a clinic on the Thai-Burma border.
Methods: This cohort is a prospective study of HIV+ Burmese persons living in Thailand. Participants are ?18 years of age and recruited at the Mae Tao Clinic. Interviewer-administered surveys collect information concerning demographics, food security, quality of life, migration patterns, and violence among other variables. Descriptive data is presented here.
Results: Of 150 people interviewed, 88 (59%) are women and the median age is 33 (IQR: 28-38). Of the 144 (96%) people who receive regular care for their HIV, 108 (72%) attend a local community based organization, and 38 (25%) attend an international NGO for care. The median self-reported CD4 count was 204 (130-382) with 59 (39%) people receiving antiretroviral therapy. The majority of people (95%) are illegal migrants and 141 (94%) are without health insurance. On a 50-score basis, the median stigma score was 36 (30-40) indicating that high stigma exists in this group. 95 (63%) migrant workers reported past incarceration by Thai police making treatment interruption a concern. Depression and anxiety were both high among this group (37% and 49% respectively).
Conclusions: HIV-positive individuals receiving care in the Thai border area report high levels of human rights violations and mental health concerns. With this preliminary snapshot, it is clear that integrated HIV care with primary and social care could improve patient quality of life.
http://www.ias2009.org/pag/Abstracts.aspx?AID=2092
