title: HIV infection rates in a trauma center treating predominantly rural blunt trauma victims.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection rates among 1,497 consecutive adult trauma victims triaged from rural and urban sectors to a statewide trauma center in Baltimore were studied. Those studied were 71.7% men, 77.4% whites, 63.2% vehicular trauma victims, 11.2% assault victims, and 25.7% other trauma victims. Non-Baltimoreans predominated (86.0%) and 32.7% were 25 to 39 years of age. Overall, 1.67% of the victims were HIV antibody positive. Significantly higher infection rates were seen in men (1.96% vs. 0.95%; p less than 0.02), non-whites (4.13% vs. 0.95; p less than 0.005), assault victims compared with vehicular and other trauma victims (5.99% vs. 1.06% vs. 1.30%, respectively; p less than 0.001), and Baltimore City residents (3.81% vs. 1.32%; p less than 0.03). Among those 25 to 39 years of age, 68.0% of the HIV infections were noted. Results suggest that HIV infection rates among trauma center patients are a reflection of the patient population served.
authors.affiliation: Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, Baltimore 21201-1595.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Soderstrom
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Furth
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Glasser
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Dunning
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Groseclose
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Cowley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015142:Baltimore; D005260:Female; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044465:White People; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000628:therapy