THE HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL STATUS OF HIV-SEROPOSITIVE YOUTH IN MINNESOTA

Objective: To describe the health outcomes and health care utilization of nonhemophiliac adolescents diagnosed with human immunodeficiency v irus (HIV) infection. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Subjects: All st ate residents without hemophilia, 13-21 years of age at the time of HI V infection diagnosis, reported to the Department of Health through Ap ril 1992. Setting: A state where HIV and acquired immune deficiency sy ndrome (AIDS) are reportable conditions. Methods: Structured interview s. Results: The survey response rate was 67%. Most subjects reported p reexisting and current psychosocial problems. In 35% of cases, subject s did not recall giving consent for HIV antibody testing; and many rep orted that seropositive results were delivered inappropriately. Eighty -seven percent of subjects reported recent medical care, without stati stically significant differences related to gender, race, or mode of t ransmission. Within 3.5 years (median) of the diagnosis of HIV infecti on, 55% of participants reported having physical limitations that were found only to be associated with duration of illness. Conclusions: Th e findings highlight the need for better understanding of the progress ion and comorbidities of HIV disease during adolescence, counseling an d testing practices, and expanded access to supportive services.