Research &
Evaluation Core

1999 APLA Client Survey - Demographics Fact Sheet

by Matt Mutchler, Ph.D.
APLA Research & Evaluation Specialist
323.993.1522 or mmutchler@apla.org

Introduction

The 1999 Client survey was mailed to 4,666 APLA clients in Fall 1999. These clients represent the study population defined as clients who agreed to receive mail from the agency as of October, 1999. 1,610 clients responded to APLA's 1999 Client Survey, representing a 34.5% response rate (the highest yet) and 21% of the total population of APLA clients. Please consult the Glossary of Statistical Terms for help deciphering statistical concepts. Also, please see additional links for other reports on substantive research domains included in APLA's 1999 Client Survey.

Survey Limitations:

There are a few limitations to keep in mind when interpreting this report. The survey findings are based on self-reported data that may be biased toward socially desirable responses. Only clients who agreed to receive mail from the agency are included in the study population. As a result, those who do not receive mail from the agency could not be surveyed. Caucasians were significantly over-represented among clients who responded to the survey (P<.05). Therefore, the findings may not be generalizable to the population of APLA clients. However, female and homeless clients were not under-represented for the first time.

Demographic Profile of Survey Respondents:

89.9% of the clients who responded were male and 8.4% of the clients who responded were female; transgender clients composed 1.7% of the total respondents. The breakdown of racial/ethnic categories is: 50.4% White/Caucasian, 26.5% Latino/Hispanic, 15% African American/Black, 4.3% 'Other', 2.2% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 1% Native American. The majority of clients in each major racial/ethnic category self-identify as gay (83.8% of Whites, 72% of Latinos, and 58.6% of Blacks). Caucasian clients were more likely to report being gay (P<.05). The average age of the clients who responded to the survey was 42.

Even though the majority of clients of all racial/ethnic groups (male and female) reported at least some college education, the largest proportion of clients also reported living on poverty level income ( less than $8,400 annually) and 64% of clients relied on public assistance programs as their source of income. Women were significantly more likely to report incomes at or below the poverty level (P<.05). Caucasians were more likely to report higher educational attainment and higher incomes (P<.05). 31% of the clients reported employment as their source of income and the largest proportion of clients reported being disabled and unable to work.

The proportion of clients who reported being on public health insurance in 1999 was significantly higher compared to 1997 (58% vs. 53%; P<.05). 10.2% of clients reported having children under the age of 18 living with them. 3.3% of clients said that they were homeless within the last 6 months and another 10.3% indicated that they are at risk of becoming homeless within the next 3 months. African American clients were more likely to report being homeless (P<.05). Most clients reported good to excellent general health and that they felt better than they did 1 year ago. Among clients who responded to the survey, 49% reported undetectable viral load status (<400 copies/ml). Of those on HIV medications, 97% are currently on either double or triple therapy.