title: Binational care-seeking behavior and health-related quality of life among HIV-infected Latinos in the U.S.-Mexico border region.
abstract: Although binational health care-seeking is common among HIV-infected Latinos living near the U.S.-Mexico border, information is lacking on whether regional indicators of health access are associated with Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL). This study examined health care-seeking behaviors across four HRQL domains (emotional well-being, cognitive functioning, physical functioning, and pain) using linear regression. HIV-infected Latinos (n = 239) were recruited from U.S. community clinics situated near the border shared by California with Mexico. In general, the Spanish-speaking (81%) and male-dominant (84%) population had positive indicators of HRQL. AIDS diagnosis predicted poorer HRQL (cognitive functioning, physical functioning, and pain), as did receipt of traditional medications and/or herbs in Mexico (physical functioning and pain). Staying for 1 or more months in Mexico in the past year was associated with higher cognitive functioning and less pain. Border-related factors were inconsistently implicated in HRQL measures. Improved understanding of complementary and alternative medicine usage by HIV-infected Latinos is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Global Public Health, Department ofMedicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: María Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Zúñiga
authors.forename: Estela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: Jesse J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Rosana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scolari
authors.forename: Irina V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Artamonova
authors.forename: Steffanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Strathdee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D014481:United States