The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68293

Thomas J. Stopka, MHS¹, Clark Marshall, BA², Ricky N. Bluthenthal, PhD³, Joleen Heider, MA², and Steven R. Truax, PhD⁴. (1) Prevention Research and Evaluation Section, California Office of AIDS, 611 North 7th Street, Suite A, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-323-7419, tstopka@dhs.ca.gov, (2) HIV Prevention Policy and Program Development Section, California Office of AIDS, 611 North 7th St., Suite A, Sacramento, CA 95814, (3) Health Program and DPRC, RAND, 1700 Main Street, PO Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407, (4) HIV Prevention Research and Evaluation Section, California Dept. of Health Services, Office of AIDS, 611 North 7th Street, Suite A, Sacramento, CA 95814-0208

Background: In California, injection drug users (IDUs) do not access HIV counseling and testing (C&T) services as frequently as individuals in other risk groups and, if tested, are less likely to return for test results than non-injecting clients. Anecdotal evidence suggests that IDUs are more interested in receiving hepatitis C virus (HCV) C&T than HIV C&T.

Objective: To determine if combining HIV and HCV C&T leads to improved disease surveillance among IDUs.

Methods: Five local health jurisdictions (LHJs) across California will be included in the demonstration project. During the baseline phase (February-March 2003), outreach staff and HIV counselors in each LHJ will be instructed to recruit IDUs for HIV C&T using their typical recruitment approach at mobile health vans, in clinics, and on the streets. All contacts with IDU clients and total HIV tests conducted will be totaled on a weekly basis in order to calculate a test rate (test rate = number of IDUs tested / total IDU contacts made). During the intervention phase (May-June), IDUs will be recruited in the same manner as those recruited during the baseline phase, but HCV testing will be initially promoted and offered to IDUs. IDUs who agree to be tested for HCV will also be offered HIV C&T. Total IDU contacts and total HCV and HIV C&T rates will be calculated and compared to those of the baseline phase.

Results and Conclusion: Recent findings will be shared and implications for future HIV and HCV surveillance and prevention interventions will be considered.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to:
• Evaluate the effectiveness of a new approach to recruitment and services related to HIV counseling and testing among injection drug users (IDUs).
• Analyze HIV and HCV testing and infection rates among IDUs in California and how combining counseling and testing for both diseases influences such rates.
• Develop improved HIV and HCV surveillance techniques among IDUs in their own public health jurisdiction.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Drug Injectors

Related Web page: www.dhs.ca.gov/AIDS

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.