[A cross-sectional study on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of HIV-1 infection in gypsies and in other minorities in Bilbao, Northern Spain].
BACKGROUND
The health status and needs of gypsies have been insufficiently studied.


METHODS
We studied the clinicoepidemiological characteristics of all HIV-1 infected patients attending in our outpatients clinic and hospitalized who were classified according to their ethnic origin as <<gypsies>>, <<payos>> (Caucasian non-gypsy Spanish natives) or <<immigrants>>.


RESULTS
Overall, there were 563 patients out of 674 previously appointed (83%). Intravenous drug use (IVDU) was the HIV acquisition mechanism in 70%, 95% and 25% (p < 0.000) and attendance was considered regular in 89%, 48% and 89% payos, gypsies and immigrants (p < 0.01), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
IVDU as the HIV transmission mechanism and lower clinic attendance rates were the most relevant differences observed between gypsy and payo subjects.
Teira
Ramón
R
Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital de Basurto, Bilbao, España. rteira@hbas.osakidetza.net
Lizarralde
Eva
E
Muñoz
Pepa
P
Zubero
Zuriñe
Z
Baraiaetxaburu
Josu
J
Santamaría
Juan M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups; D010349:Patient Compliance; D006178:Romani People; D013030:Spain / Q000208:ethnology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology