NBNA Partners with "KNOW YOUR RED BLOOD CELL COUNT!" Campaign

A SURVEY ABOUT ANEMIA AMONG AFRICAN AMERICANS LIVING WITH HIV

A new Yankelovich Partners, Inc./Harris Interactive survey asked 669 HIV-positive individuals, including more than 100 African Americans, how much they knew about their red blood cell count and HIV-related anemia. The surprising results show there is a tremendous need to educate the African American community about the causes, impact and treatment of HIV-related anemia. The results also show that both doctors and African American patients need to take a more active role in initiating conversations about anemia and the importance of red blood cell count testing.

MAJOR FINDINGS

Although most African American patients are told by their doctors what their T-cell count (97 percent) and viral load (97 percent) are, only two in five (42 percent) are given their red blood cell count, which is used to diagnose anemia.
Two-thirds (65 percent) of African Americans living with HIV are not sure at what level their red blood cell count would indicate they are at risk for developing anemia.
- However, only 20 percent were not sure about the risk level for viral load and five percent were not sure for T-cell count.
About three in five (59 percent) have not discussed anemia with their doctors.
Four in five (82 percent) of those diagnosed with anemia have had to cut back on everyday activities, such as working, household chores, sexual activities, exercising, and socializing.

A BREAKDOWN IN COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PATIENTS AND THEIR DOCTORS

More than four out of five HIV-positive African Americans (83 percent) say their doctor asks whether they experience symptoms associated with anemia, such as tiredness and weakness.
- However, two in five (40 percent) HIV-positive African Americans say their doctor has discussed anemia with them.
Seven in ten (71 percent) agree that they need their doctor to better inform them about their blood test results so they can understand the problems they may face.

TESTING FOR ANEMIA IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT

Nearly all HIV-positive African Americans say their doctor regularly measures their T-cell count (93 percent) and their viral load (93 percent) when they have a blood test. But less than two-thirds (64 percent) of African Americans believe that doctors routinely measure red blood cell count when doing a blood test.
African Americans believe they are less likely than Caucasians/others or Hispanics to have been tested for anemia (48 percent vs. 69 percent or 66 percent).
Almost nine in ten (87 percent) agree that it is important for doctors to routinely check HIV patients for anemia.

A DISTURBING LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF RED BLOOD CELL COUNT AND ANEMIA

Only one in five (16 percent) HIV-positive African Americans know at what level their red blood cell count puts their health at risk.
- Two in three (65 percent) African Americans say they are not sure at what level their red blood cell count would indicate that their health is at risk.
Less than two in five (37 percent) African Americans with HIV say they are not sure what HIV-related anemia is.
Three in five (57 percent) African Americans say they are not sure what causes HIV-related anemia.
- Less than one in five (19 percent) African Americans know that HIV-related anemia can be a side effect from medication.
- African Americans (57 percent) are also less informed of what causes anemia compared to Caucasians/others (36 percent) and Hispanics (40 percent).
African Americans (26 percent) are the least knowledgeable about how anemia is diagnosed compared to Caucasians/others (10 percent) and Hispanics (20 percent).
African Americans (22 percent) are the most likely to say they are not sure what the symptoms of anemia are compared to Caucasians/others (13 percent) or Hispanics (11 percent).

THE EFFECT OF ANEMIA ON EVERYDAY LIFE

Three-quarters (76 percent) of African Americans indicated that working is an activity that is impacted by feeling tired and/or weak.
Four in five (81 percent) African Americans said household chores are impacted by symptoms of anemia.
Almost one-half of African Americans (44 percent) are currently using AZT or an AZT-containing regimen to treat HIV/AIDS. It is believed that AZT contributes to the development of anemia.

These results are based on 669 interviews with HIV-positive individuals. Of these interviews, 542 were conducted on the Internet, while the remaining 127 interviews (African Americans and Hispanics) were conducted via telephone. The total was weighted to known ethnic proportions for the HIV-positive community.

The Internet interviews and the telephone interviews were run concurrently with similar questionnaires. Telephone interviews of Hispanics were conducted in English and Spanish. Surveys were conducted between April 12 and May 2, 2001.

The study was conducted on behalf of Ortho Biotech Products, L.P. The purpose of the study was to determine the awareness of anemia in the HIV community.

NBNA is a partner in the "Know Your Red Blood Cell Count Campaign".

3/4/02

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