168393 Evaluating a Multiple Morbidities Testing Program Using the Behavioral Risk Group (BRG) Model

Monday, October 27, 2008: 2:30 PM

Grace L. Reynolds, DPA , Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Dennis Fisher, PhD , Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Lucy Napper, PhD , Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Kimberly Marsh, PBT (ASCP) , Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Christine Willey, MA , Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Background: The integration of HIV testing with hepatitis and sexually transmitted infection testing has been advocated as a best practice for public health.

Methods: Data from a Los Angeles County--funded multiple morbidities testing program (HIV, hepatitis, STIs) were analyzed for 2005-2007. Data are compiled by behavioral risk group (BRG).

Results: 2011 test results were analyzed using analysis of variance. A significant overall model (F(35,1729)=3.13,p<.0001) for number of tests accessed by BRG and racial/ethnic groups was found. There was a significant main effect of BRG (F=11.21,p=.0001) but no effect of race/ethnicity and no interaction. Transgenders (M=6.77, SD=.44) and men-who-have-sex-with-men/injection drug users (MSM/IDUs) (M=6.39, SD=2.99) had the highest mean number of tests accessed. Native Americans accessed the fewest number of tests (M=4.52, SD=2.82) but this was not statistically significant. There was also a significant overall model for the total number of positive test results by BRG and racial/ethnic group (F(35,1729)=7.87p<.0001; this model had significant main effects of BRG (F=31.87,p<.0001) and racial/ethnic group (F=3.32,p=.0002) as well as a significant interaction of BRG and racial ethnic group (F=2.50,p<.0001). MSM-IDUs had the highest mean number of infections (M=1.44, SD=1.46) compared to other BRGs, and Native Americans had the highest mean number of infections among racial/ethnic groups (M.81, SD=.98).

Results: Multiple morbidities testing which targets BRGs appears to be working overall. Changes to this approach may be needed to include racial/ethnic groups with high levels of positive test results and low levels of utilization, such as Native Americans.

Learning Objectives:
Learning objectives: 1. Attendees will be able to describe the behavioral risk groups (BRGs) used by Los Angeles County in assessing HIV/AIDS risk. 2. Attendees will understand the differences in testing for HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections demonstrated by BRGs. 3. Attendees will evaluate whether the BRG approach is working in targeting scarce testing resources to the highest risk individuals.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I performed all data analysis, assisted with the interpretation of results, and wrote the abstract.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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