181738 Using interrupted time-series to measure the effects of criminal non-disclosure laws on HIV testing rates and incidence

Monday, October 27, 2008

Daniel L. Wise, MSW , Department of Psychology, University of Missouri - Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
Kathleen J. Goggin, PhD , Department of Psychology, University of Missouri- Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
Stephen A. DeLurgio, PhD , School of Business and Public Administration, University of Missouri - Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
An interrupted time-series design was used examining whether laws criminalizing non-disclosure of HIV-positive status affect HIV testing rates and incidence. Totals of monthly HIV tests, incidence, and at-risk/no-risk tests were collected in states with (California, New Jersey) and without criminal laws (control states). Aggregated totals from control states were used as successful control variables in MARIMA analyses. No changes were found in California. In New Jersey, total monthly tests increased by 530 (t = 2.360, p = .020) in the month of enactment of the law. Incidence decreased by 21 cases (t = -2.772, p = .007) at 6 month, and by 18 cases (t = -2.460, p = .016) at 12 months following enactment of the law. Monthly tests for no-risk persons decreased by 30 tests (t = -2.113, p = .037) on month of enactment, by 38 tests (t = -2.994, p = .004) at 6 month, and 41 tests (t = -3.422, p = .001) at 12 months following enactment of the law. Models had adjusted- R2's of .472 to .874, graphically fit the data well, and yielded white noise residuals. These findings indicate that while more people are being tested, fewer people actually participating in risk behavior are testing. Also, fewer individuals at no-risk are being tested. Overall, people may become more cautious about learning their HIV-status following the passage of the law. Uniform collection, management, and accessibility of HIV testing data are prerequisite to more comprehensive studies of effects of law and policy on testing.

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify changes in testing rates and incidence which may be associated with criminal non-disclosure laws. 2. Describe the necessity for improvements in data collection, management, and accessibility

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Policy/Policy Development

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I collected and analyzed these data as my dissertation project.
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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