Factors associated with utilization of care for oral lesions in HIV disease.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with utilization of care for oral lesions in people with HIV disease.


METHODS
The data were derived from 1424 adults who participated in a series of up to 4 interviews as part of the AIDS Cost and Service Utilization Survey. Treatment for thrush, oral sores, and other conditions was evaluated through use of logistic regression, with generalized estimating equations being applied.


RESULTS
In all, 9.1% of those in the study sample reported being treated. After adjusting for CD4 cell count and other variables, regression analyses indicated that blacks (odds ratio [OR], 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32-0.91) and Hispanics (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36-0.98) had significantly lower odds of reporting being treated. Respondents with more than a high school education (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.08-2.51), clinical trial participants (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.27-2.90), and those receiving counseling (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.60-3.09) were more likely to report being treated.


CONCLUSIONS
Utilization of care for oral lesions is very low. Educational and racial differences exist among those respondents who received care for HIV-associated oral lesions.
Mascarenhas
A K
AK
The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Health Services Research, Columbus 43210, USA.
Smith
S R
SR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States