Denise Jaworsky1, Mona Loutfy2, Michelle Lu2, Monica Ye2, Andreea Bratu2, Paul Sereda2, Ahmed Bayoumi2, Lisa Richardson2, Ayelet Kuper2, Robert S Hogg2. 1. Faculty of Medicine (Jaworsky), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Jaworsky, Loutfy, Bayoumi) and Department of Medicine (Loutfy, Bayoumi, Richardson, Kuper), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Northern Medical Program (Jaworsky), University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC; BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Jaworsky, Lu, Ye, Bratu, Sereda, Hogg), Vancouver, BC; Department of Medicine (Loutfy, Richardson), Women's College Hospital; Division of General Internal Medicine (Bayoumi) and MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Bayoumi), Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; University Health Network (Richardson); The Wilson Centre (Richardson, Kuper); Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Sciences (Hogg), Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC denise.jaworsky@utoronto.ca. 2. Faculty of Medicine (Jaworsky), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC; Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (Jaworsky, Loutfy, Bayoumi) and Department of Medicine (Loutfy, Bayoumi, Richardson, Kuper), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.; Northern Medical Program (Jaworsky), University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC; BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (Jaworsky, Lu, Ye, Bratu, Sereda, Hogg), Vancouver, BC; Department of Medicine (Loutfy, Richardson), Women's College Hospital; Division of General Internal Medicine (Bayoumi) and MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions (Bayoumi), Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital; University Health Network (Richardson); The Wilson Centre (Richardson, Kuper); Toronto, Ont.; Faculty of Health Sciences (Hogg), Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Improving rural health is often identified as a priority area for research and policy in Canada. We examined how findings on HIV outcomes (virologic suppression) can vary depending on the definition of rurality used. METHODS: We performed retrospective cohort analyses using the Comparative Outcomes and Service Utilization Trends study population-based cohort of adults (age ≥ 19 yr) living with HIV in British Columbia between Apr. 1, 2012, and Mar. 31, 2013. We performed univariate logistic regression analyses using the following geographic variables to predict HIV virologic suppression: rurality defined by forward sortation area, by Statistical Area Classification and by health authority. We mapped suppression using geographic information systems. RESULTS: Virologic suppression was observed in 5605 (65.2%) of 8598 participants. In univariate analysis, rurality defined by Statistical Area Classification (odds ratio [OR] 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-0.82), but not by forward sortation area, was associated with lower odds of suppression. When we examined suppression by health authority, Northern Health had the lowest odds of suppression (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.36-0.58 compared to Vancouver Coastal Health). Geographic information systems mapping showed poorer suppression in northern areas. INTERPRETATION: Health outcome findings can vary depending on the definition of the geographic variable. When including geographic variables, researchers should carefully consider variable definitions and whether other classification systems, such as north-south, are more appropriate than rurality for their analysis. Copyright 2020, Joule Inc. or its licensors.
BACKGROUND: Improving rural health is often identified as a priority area for research and policy in Canada. We examined how findings on HIV outcomes (virologic suppression) can vary depending on the definition of rurality used. METHODS: We performed retrospective cohort analyses using the Comparative Outcomes and Service Utilization Trends study population-based cohort of adults (age ≥ 19 yr) living with HIV in British Columbia between Apr. 1, 2012, and Mar. 31, 2013. We performed univariate logistic regression analyses using the following geographic variables to predict HIV virologic suppression: rurality defined by forward sortation area, by Statistical Area Classification and by health authority. We mapped suppression using geographic information systems. RESULTS: Virologic suppression was observed in 5605 (65.2%) of 8598 participants. In univariate analysis, rurality defined by Statistical Area Classification (odds ratio [OR] 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65-0.82), but not by forward sortation area, was associated with lower odds of suppression. When we examined suppression by health authority, Northern Health had the lowest odds of suppression (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.36-0.58 compared to Vancouver Coastal Health). Geographic information systems mapping showed poorer suppression in northern areas. INTERPRETATION: Health outcome findings can vary depending on the definition of the geographic variable. When including geographic variables, researchers should carefully consider variable definitions and whether other classification systems, such as north-south, are more appropriate than rurality for their analysis. Copyright 2020, Joule Inc. or its licensors.
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