[HIV infection in immigrants: clinical and epidemiological differences as compared to the native population in a Health Area in Madrid (2002-2004)].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the incidence and characteristics of immigrant patients attended in a dedicated HIV Unit in Madrid (Spain).


METHODS
Cross-sectional study including all patients whose first visit to our HIV Unit took place between January 2001 and December 2004.


RESULTS
Among a total of 516 new patients seen during the study period, 101 (19.6%) were immigrants (59% from Latin America, 27% from sub-Saharan Africa). Considering only patients who had not received previous clinical care in other centers (n = 298), 25.5% were immigrants. As compared to Spanish patients, there was a higher proportion of women among the immigrant population (40% vs. 26%: P = 0.008), age was lower (35 vs. 38 years; P = 0.003), and educational level was higher (39% vs. 13% secondary or higher education; P < 0.0001), with no statistical differences regarding employment (37% vs. 27% were unemployed; P = 0.07). Sexual transmission was more frequent among immigrants (85% vs. 37%; P < 0.0001), but the main sexual route of infection in both groups was heterosexual contact (71% and 66%). There were no differences in the baseline clinical, immunological, or virological status.


CONCLUSIONS
A large number of new patients attended for the first time in a dedicated HIV Clinic in Madrid were immigrants. Although these patients showed some differences in demographic characteristics and the mechanism of HIV transmission, no significant differences were found in their clinical or immunological characteristics as compared to Spanish patients.
Jerez
Asunción Hernando
AH
Departamento de Especialidades Médicas, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón, España. masuncion.hernando@uem.es
García-Cerrada
Carlos
C
Ortega
Federico Pulido
FP
García
Rafael Rubio
RR
Gómez
Rafael Hervás
RH
González
Concepción Cepeda
CC
Pérez-Herrero
José Ramón Costa
JR
D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000208:ethnology; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D019529:Sexuality; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology