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Vivian Levy,
Jinwei Yuan,
Juan Ruiz, Scott Morrow,
Juan Reardon,
Mathew Facer,
Fred Molitor,
Barbara Allen,
Barbara Green Ajufo,
Geneva Bell-Sanford,
Willi McFarland,
Henry F Raymond,
Tim Kellogg,
Kimberly Page
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ABSTRACT: Despite an effective vaccine, 60,000 new HBV infections were reported in the US in 2004; 95% in adults. We evaluate HBV sero-prevalence, risk behaviors and self-reported vaccination among Latino immigrant, Asian immigrant and US born low income men in five northern California counties.
Population based, cross sectional survey of HBV sero-prevalence and risk behaviors in men aged 18 to 35 years.
Among 1,512 men screened, Asian immigrants were most likely to have had prior HBV infection (15.1%) and chronic infection (3.8%) compared to US born (prior 5.1%, chronic 0.6%) and Latino immigrant men (prior 2.0%, chronic 0.3%.) Reported HBV vaccination was lowest for Latino immigrants (12%) compared to Asian immigrants and US born men (35% in both.) Latino immigrants reported less educational attainment, medical insurance coverage and access to a physician in the last six months.
Healthcare providers should routinely screen Asian immigrants for HBV regardless of their self reported vaccination status. Latino immigrants may comprise an important group of under-vaccinated, at risk persons in California. HBV testing and vaccination of immigrants soon after US arrival should be encouraged.
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 04/2009; 12(6):828-33. · 1.16 Impact Factor
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Vivian Levy,
Kimberly Page-Shafer,
Jennifer Evans,
Juan Ruiz, Scott Morrow,
Juan Reardon,
Martin Lynch,
H Fisher Raymond,
Jeffrey D Klausner,
Mathew Facer,
Fred Molitor,
Barbara Allen,
Barbara Green Ajufo,
Dennis Ferrero,
Geneva Bell Sanford,
Willy McFarland
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ABSTRACT: We compared risk behaviors and HIV testing between recent (in the U.S. <5 years) and established (in the U.S. >5 years) Hispanic immigrant men (N = 410).
This study was a population-based, cross-sectional survey of HIV/sexually transmitted disease markers and risk behaviors in men age 18 to 35 years residing in low-income census block groups in 3 northern California counties.
Recent immigrants were less likely to currently have a main sexual partner (45.3% vs. 67.2%, P <0.01) and more likely to have ever used commercial sex workers (40.0% vs. 27.6%, P <0.01). Recent immigrants were less likely to receive medical care in the last 6 months (21.2% vs. 31.3%, P = 0.04) or had ever been HIV tested (26.0% vs. 43.3%, P <0.01). Established immigrants more likely reported unprotected sex, hallucinogen or ecstasy use.
Recent Hispanic immigrants have less stable sexual partnerships and less health-seeking behavior, including HIV testing. Established immigrants report HIV test rates comparable to the national average.
Sex Transm Dis 08/2005; 32(8):487-90. · 2.87 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: One quarter of mothers of young children experience high levels of depressive symptoms, and only half are identified by themselves or their providers. Little is known about what factors influence maternal and provider recognition of depression. We use data from the San Mateo County, California, Prenatal to Three project to explore self-recognition, provider response, and referral among low-income Hispanic mothers of infants and toddlers. The goals are (1) to describe the patterns of self-recognition of maternal depression, maternal reporting of health professional response, and referrals for mental health services as related to depression severity and (2) to identify determinants of self-recognition, provider response, and mental health referrals.
Our sample consists of 218 nonpregnant Hispanic mothers in San Mateo County. Self-recognition was defined as an affirmative answer to the question, "Have you thought that you needed help with sadness or depression since your child was born?" High depressive symptoms were defined as a score of > or =10 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). We performed chi-square and logistic regression analyses.
Twenty-eight percent responded that they needed help with depression since the birth of their baby. Less than half discussed depressive feelings with their provider. Depression recognition factors differed between mothers and health professionals.
Maternal depression is prevalent among Hispanic women on Medicaid but is not readily detected by women or providers. Women and providers use different cues to identify depression, possibly leading to communication discrepancies. Further research on the factors that influence self-recognition and provider recognition of maternal depression is needed.
Journal of Women s Health 06/2005; 14(4):331-8. · 1.57 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Maternal depression can have significant repercussions for the health and well-being of mothers and children. In primarily white middle-income populations, approximately 15% of mothers experience depression. Among ethnically and socioeconomically diverse populations, the prevalence of maternal depression has not been as well established. However, the highest rates have been observed among low-income women. Because information about minority, underserved women is particularly sparse, we utilize data from the San Mateo County, California, Prenatal to Three project to describe the prevalence and self-recognition of depressive symptoms among low-income Hispanic mothers of infants and toddlers.
Telephone interviews of a random sample of women who received Medicaid and gave birth in San Mateo County provided our sample of 218 nonpregnant Hispanic mothers. High levels of depressive symptoms were defined as a score of > or =10 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). We performed descriptive analyses and analyses of variance.
Twenty-three percent of mothers reported high levels of depressive symptoms. Half of them recognized a need for help with depression.
High levels of maternal depressive symptoms were prevalent among the Hispanic women on Medicaid, but only half of the women experiencing these symptoms identified themselves as needing help with depression.
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 05/2005; 66(4):418-23. · 5.80 Impact Factor
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American Journal of Public Health 12/2003; 93(11):1889-90. · 3.93 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We evaluated risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in women residing in low-income neighborhoods of northern California.
A population-based sample of 1707 women, aged 18 to 29, were surveyed and screened for sexually transmitted infections and HCV.
Women infected with HCV (2.5%) were more likely to have a history of injection and noninjection drug use, to exchange sex for money or drugs, and to have sexually transmitted infections. HCV was independently associated with history of injection drug use, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection, and heroin and cocaine use.
Injection drug use is the highest risk exposure for HCV, but HSV-2 and noninjection drug use contribute significantly to increased risk. HCV prevention programs in impoverished areas should integrate drug treatment and sexually transmitted infection control.
American Journal of Public Health 05/2002; 92(4):670-6. · 3.93 Impact Factor
