246592 HIV mortality rates and testing in the US Workforce

Tuesday, November 1, 2011: 1:10 PM

Manuel A. Ocasio, BA , Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Brittny Major, BS , Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Lora E. Fleming, MD, PhD , European Centre for Environment and Human Health (PCMD) and Univesity of Miami OHH Center and NIOSH Research Group, Miami, FL
Kristopher L. Arheart, EdD , Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine - NIOSH Research Group, Miami, FL
William G. LeBlanc, PhD , Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine - NIOSH Research Group, Miami, FL
Tainya C. Clarke, MPH, MS , Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
Alberto J. Caban-Martinez, MPH , Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine - NIOSH Research Group, Miami, FL
Noella Dietz, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Leonard Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
John E. Lewis, PhD , Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL
David J. Lee, PhD , Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
     
Introduction Education initiatives on HIV testing and the advent of highly active antiretroviral treatment have brought about a steep decline in HIV mortality rates among the general US population since the mid 1990's. Very few studies have observed these trends in the US working population. The purpose of the study is to compare HIV mortality and HIV testing rates among industrial sector groups.

Methods We analyzed pooled and annual data from the 1986-2004 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) with mortality follow-up through 2006 to calculate age-adjusted HIV mortality rates among 8 industrial sector groups. Data from the 1997-2007 NHIS were used to examine lifetime HIV testing rates among industrial sectors.

Results Employed individuals demonstrated reporting a lifetime HIV testing rate of 37.8% and an overall HIV mortality rate of 4.91/100,000 person-years. Among sector groups, those in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing saw both the lowest lifetime HIV testing rate at 24.7% and highest HIV mortality rate at 6.65/100,000. In contrast, workers in the Healthcare and Social Assistance sector had the highest testing rate (47%) but one of the lowest mortality rates among sector groups (3.53/100,000).

Conclusion Certain members of the US workforce, particularly those in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector have exhibited low rates in reported HIV testing and a corresponding high HIV mortality rate. To address this disparity, more data on these health outcomes and behaviors among these workers are needed for the development and implementation of workplace interventions.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Occupational health and safety
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1. Report HIV testing and HIV mortality rates among US workers. 2. Identify industrial sector groups with a contrast in reported HIV testing rates and HIV mortality rates. 3. Calculate potential correlations in trends between HIV testing rates and HIV mortality rates among industrial sector groups.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract author because I work as a research associate in occupational health and am an MSPH student.
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.

See more of: Sexual Behavior and HIV
See more of: APHA-Student Assembly