AEGiS-13IAC: Change in HIV testing patterns after implementation of name-based HIV case surveillance in New Mexico.

13th International AIDS Conference

Durban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000

Change in HIV testing patterns after implementation of name-based HIV case surveillance in New Mexico.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. TuOrC311)

Lansky A, Lehman JS, Gatwood J, Hecht F, Fleming PL
A. Lansky, 1600 Clifton Road ( MS -E47 ), Atlanta, Georgia 30333, United States, Tel.: +1 404 639 20 50, Fax: +1 404 639 20 50, E-mail: allo@cdc.gov

Backgound: On January 1, 1998 name-based HIV surveillance was implemented in New Mexico. We assessed self-reported HIV testing history, beliefs about confidentiality, and knowledge of HIV reporting laws among persons at risk for HIV infection before and after implementation.

METHODS: The HIV Testing Survey (HITS) was a cross-sectional study conducted in New Mexico in two waves: from 6/96-11/96 (HITS-I) and 7/98-12/98 (HITS-II). Using systematic sampling methods, anonymous, structured interviews were conducted with approximately equal numbers of men who had sex men; injection drug users (IDU); and sexually active heterosexuals.

RESULTS: In each wave, 275 HIV-negative or untested persons completed the interview for a total of 550 participants. The demographic characteristics of the two waves did not differ; overall 72% were male, 51% Latino and 65% aged 25-44 years. Most participants in HITS-I (84%) and in HITS-II (82%) had been tested for HIV. The proportion of persons tested that reported that they had an anonymous test was higher in HITS-II (56%) than HITS-I (45%, p > 0.001). A higher proportion of participants in HITS-I (75%) than HITS-II (65%) reported delaying testing (P = 0.02). The proportion of untested persons who reported concern about name reporting as a reason they were not tested was lower in HITS-II (2/49) than HITS-I (10/44, Fisher's P = 0.01). Most participants (60% in HITS-I and 66% in HITS-II) did not know the current HIV surveillance policy in New Mexico.

CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of name-based HIV surveillance in New Mexico appeared to have little effect on knowledge or behaviors related to HIV testing: delay and concern about name reporting decreased, and anonymous testing increased. However, these changes may be attributable to other factors such as information about the benefits of testing and treatment.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Infections, Anonymous Testing, HIV Seropositivity, Cross-Sectional Studies, Confidentiality, New Mexico, Risk Management, Human, Male, epidemiology, economics
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