387P
RACIAL AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE SEEKING BEHAVIOR AMONG HIV-SEROPOSITIVE PERSONS
KD Henny
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
Backgrounds/Objectives: Gender and racial differences have long existed in the utilization of mental health care (MHC). MHC in the management of HIV is an understudied topic particular for HIV-seropositive women and African Americans. Greater understanding of MHC utilization within these understudied subpopulations is required. This study analyzed racial and gender differences in the utilization of informal MHC (friends and family) and formal MHC (professionals) among HIV-seropositive persons.
Methods: The data were drawn from a nationally representative sample of HIV-seropositive persons in the 1996 HIV Services and Cost Utilization Study (HSCUS). Four subgroups were studied: African American (AA) men (n=498) and women (n=436); and White American (WA) men (n=1164) and women (n=219). Discriminant function analysis (DFA) was used to identify and assess racial and gender differences in MHC use.
Results: All four subgroups were equally likely to report informal MHC use. Drug use was positively associated with informal MHC use only for AA men (p=.03). Significant differences were found for formal MHC use (p<.05), with WA women being the most likely to use formal MHC (40%) and AA men being the least likely (27%). Depression was positively associated with formal MHC use among AA women (p<.01), WA men (p<.01), and WA women (p=.05). Drug use was positively associated with formal MHC use only for AA men (p<.01).
Conclusions: Pre-existing comorbidities appear to increase the likelihood of formal MHC use. Formal MHC providers should evaluate all HIV-seropositive patients for depression and drug use and be prepared to provide appropriate treatment or referrals.