Risk factors for perceived unmet medical needs in human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults in Seoul, Korea
Data from a series of city-wide cross-sectional surveys of HIV-infected adults living in Seoul, Korea reveal strong associations of middle age and low socioeconomic status with perceived unmet medical needs among HIV- infected adults.
Abstract
ABSTRACT To identify the factors associated with perceived unmet medical needs in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults, we analyzed the results from a series of city-wide cross-sectional surveys of HIV-infected adults living in Seoul, Korea. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to unmet medical needs. Among the 775 subjects included in the study, 15.4% had perceived unmet medical needs. Significant factors included age group (35–49 years; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–3.06), lower monthly income (aOR, 3.75 for the <$900/mo group and 2.44 for the $900–$1800/mo group; 95% CI, 1.68–8.35 and 1.18–5.04, respectively), beneficiaries of the National Medical Aid Program (aOR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.01–3.17), recent CD4 cell counts <500/µL (aOR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.01–2.33). Taken together, these data reveal strong associations of middle age and low socioeconomic status with perceived unmet medical needs among HIV-infected adults.