Document 1842
 DOCN  M94A1842
 TI    Private-sector female vs male AIDS costs in an area of high-prevalence
       heterosexual transmission.
 DT    9412
 AU    Rodriguez MR; Lopez J; Alvarez M; Benitez J; Cucurella B; Institute of
       Statistics, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):439 (abstract no. PD0365). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370733
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To detect differences in AIDS-related costs between male and
       female clients in a 5-year study within the health-insurance industry.
       METHODS: Females are the fastest growing sub-population with AIDS in
       many regions of the world. The main risk for HIV transmission in Puerto
       Rico is intravenous drug use (IVDU)--54%; for adult females the risk is
       42%, while the risk due to heterosexual contact is 50% (Center for
       Disease Control, Dec. 1993). Cost monitoring of the female AIDS
       population is relevant. A review of cost reimbursement for the persons
       identified with AIDS by the largest health insurance company in PR,
       Seguros de Servicio de Salud de Puerto Rico, is used for cohort and cost
       per year analysis (1987-1991) categorized by sex. RESULTS: A total of
       437 cases were identified; 340 males (78%) and 97 females (22%). Total
       lifetime costs for males were $4,539,222 (80%); for females, $1,123,000
       (20%). Unit costs for males were $13,551; for females, $11,577. The
       table presents lifetime unit/costs (U/C) per cohort. The data shows an
       apparently unstable pattern for unit costs. As costs are added to the
       cohorts each year, unit costs will continue to rise. The average age for
       males and females is 39 years. As new therapies evolve for treating
       pregnant women, another element will be added to the AIDS costs.
       CONCLUSION: A significantly rising percentage of HIV positive females on
       the reproductive age-bracket impacts typical AIDS-related costs for
       hospitalization and treatment. TABULAR DATA, SEE ABSTRACT VOLUME.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*ECONOMICS/EPIDEMIOLOGY/
       TRANSMISSION  Adult  Comparative Study  Female  *Health Care Costs
       Human  Male  Puerto Rico/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Risk Factors  *Sex Behavior  Sex
       Factors  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).