Hong Chen, MPH, David S. Webb, MS, and Steven R. Truax, PhD. HIV Prevention Research and Evaluation Section, California Dept. of Health Services, Office of AIDS, 1616 Capitol Avenue, Suite 616, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320, 916-449-5819, hchen@dhs.ca.gov

Background: Nationally, women are one of the fastest growing populations being infected with HIV. In California, the proportion of new AIDS cases among women especially African American and Latino women are also increasing. This research investigates trends in HIV testing, client demographics and HIV behavioral risk among California women served by publicly funded HIV counseling and testing (C&T) services in order to guide the development of HIV prevention programs. Methods: Information was collected through the California HIV Counseling Information System that records HIV test results, risk behavior, and demographic data for clients who tested at publicly funded HIV counseling and testing sites. Analyses are based on female client visits. Sample includes those aged 12 years and older tested for HIV with valid HIV test results. Results: The percent of HIV testing among White women decreased from 1990 to 2002 while it increased among all other women. The percent of HIV positive tests among African American women decreased from 1990 to 2002 and has remained the highest among all women. HIV testing among different age groups, self reported IDUs, sex for money or goods, sex for drugs, STDs and the use of barrier for vaginal and receptive anal sex will also be presented. Conclusion: The increase in higher risk women testing reflects the success of the far greater emphasis on outreach based testing initiated in 1997. The stable percentage of HIV infections suggests that the increase in HIV infections among women in California is much more gradual that nationally.

Learning Objectives:

• Nationally, women are one of the fastest growing populations being infected with HIV. In California, the proportion of new AIDS cases among women especially African American and Latino women are also increasing. This research investigates trends in HIV testing, client demographics and HIV behavioral risk among California women served by publicly funded HIV counseling and testing (C&T) services in order to guide the development of HIV prevention programs.

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.