The state maintains two major statewide HIV/AIDS related databases with unduplicated records: the HIV and AIDS Reporting System (HARS) and the Uniform Reporting System (URS) used by Ryan White funded Early Intervention Program providers. The HARS database contains one record per individual, each with an HIV or AIDS diagnosis. The URS database collects information quarterly at the service provider level, with records being unduplicated for 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month intervals, each record representing the aggregate services for each individual within a given reporting period. Both databases use the Unique Record Number (URN), which is a nine-digit encrypted number based on an individual’s name, date of birth, and gender. This makes it theoretically possible to conduct analyses on a merged file. This paper discusses the methods used to generate and analyze the merged HARS and URS databases as part of a study to determine the unmet needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS. Three key issues will be discussed: (1) the validity of the matches and non-matches, (2) the relationship between matched/unmatched records and missing values, and (3) determining whether there are patterns to the matches and non-matches (e.g. demographics, service providers, etc.).
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.