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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Deborah Holtzman, PhD, Division of Adult and Community Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Mailstop K-66, Atlanta, GA 30341, Karin Ann Mack, PhD, NCCDPHP/DACH/BSB, Centers for Disease Control, 4770 Buford Hwy NE K66, Atlanta, GA 30341, 770-488-2500, dxh4@cdc.gov, Allyn K. Nakashima, MD, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-47, Atlanta, GA 30333, and Richard B. Rubinson, PhD, Department of Sociology, Emory University, 1555 Pierce Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322.
Increasing the proportion of HIV-infected persons who know their status is important so they can benefit from treatment and prevent transmission to others. This study examines the prevalence of HIV testing among the general U.S. adult population, determines if testing rates have changed over time, and assesses whether the trends varied demographically and by perceived HIV risk. HIV data from the BRFSS, an on-going, state-specific population-based, random telephone survey that collects health-related information monthly, were available for adults (18-64 years) from 1994-2000. From weighted data aggregated across states, annual prevalence estimates expressed as % (95% confidence interval) were calculated for type of testing (ever and voluntary) and perceived risk. Trends in testing were assessed by multiple logistic regression, controlling for demographics and perceived risk. A significant increase was found in the percentage who reported ever being tested (37.9% [37.4-38.5] in 1994 and 47.6% [47.2-48.1] in 2000) and voluntarily tested in past 12 months (21.4% [20.7-22.19] in 1994 and 22.8% [22.2-23.3] in 2000). Different trends emerged by demographic category, HIV risk, and type of testing; e.g., voluntary testing in past 12 months increased among Hispanics (26.3% [23.3-29.3] in 1994-29.1% [27.0-31.2] in 2000), but not among blacks (35.8% [33.7-37.9] in 1994-35.1% [33.5-36.7] in 2000) or whites (18.3% [17.4-19.1] in 1994-18.9% [18.3-19.5] in 2000). While HIV testing has increased overall, we found variation between subgroups and over time. Only through continually monitoring the population can prevention programs appropriately target persons at increased risk and ensure that seropositive persons are referred for care.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Prevention
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.