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Objectives. In February 2007, Public Health-Seattle and King County issued a press release describing a cluster of multiclass drug-resistant HIV cases among men who had sex with men (MSM). We evaluated the effect of the press release among MSM in the Seattle area. Methods. We administered a rapid assessment survey at venues where MSM congregate. Eligible participants were men who had sex with men in the past year, were older than 18 years, and were residents of western Washington State. Results. Among 325 participants, 57% heard or saw messages related to the press release. Of these, 87% remembered 1 or more key points, but only 5% remembered key prevention messages. Ninety-eight percent of participants thought it was important for the health department to get the message out about drug-resistant HIV. Conclusions. The press release was found to be a useful and well-received method to inform the public about an HIV drug-resistant cluster. Low retention and nonprominent coverage of key prevention messages suggests that health departments using press releases as a prevention tool need to carefully consider placement and emphasis of those messages in a press statement. (doi:10.2105/AJPH.2007.126656)

Although HIV information is widely available in this country, little is known about how commonly used HIV prevention activities reach persons at highest risk for HIV. In this paper, we describe the extent to which HIV prevention strategies reach a sample of high-risk persons and whether such exposure correlates with having been tested for HIV. Data are from the 2000 HIV Testing Survey, an anonymous interview study of men who have sex with men (MSM), injection drug users (IDU), and high-risk heterosexuals (HRH), recruited from appropriate venues in seven states and New York City. We report the proportion of persons exposed to three types of interventions: information (media messages, brochures), counseling or skills-building (group counseling, role play, calling an AIDS hotline), and prevention supplies (provision of condoms, bleach kits), stratified by HIV testing status (ever, never). Exposure to information interventions was high among 2491 respondents (85%-96%) and did not differ by testing status. Use of counseling or skills-building interventions varied by testing status for IDU (8% untested versus 41% tested, p < 0.01) and HRH (14% versus 20%, p = 0.03) but not MSM (15% versus 23%, p = 0.08). Among tested IDU, those receiving bleach kits were more likely to report consistent bleach use when injecting with nonsterile needles (25% versus 9%, p = 0.003). Exposure to HIV prevention information is high but exposure to counseling or skills-building interventions is less common and more prevalent among those previously tested. Prevention initiatives should focus on counseling and testing, skills-building, and prevention supplies.

The frequency of self-reported failure to return for HIV test results (FTR) and associated reasons among persons at high risk for HIV infection is studied. Further it is suggested that increased pretest counseling on fear of learning HIV status and on availability of rapid testing may help reduce FTR.

Approximately 75% of HIV-infected people in the United States know their HIV serostatus. (1) One of the prevention priorities for the National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention is […]

Research has been conducted on the high-risk persons tested for HIV. The factors critical for HIV prevention program planning which include the reasons for testing and not testing, denial of HIV risk factors and the attitudes toward HIV testing are discussed.

Objectives. To assess the level of HIV-related risk behavior among the general US adult population, we analyzed data from the first sexual behavior questions available for states to use with the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Methods. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System is a state-specific, population-based, random telephone survey. In 1997, 25 states collected sexual behavior data. Annual prevalence estimates for selected behaviors were calculated and examined by sociodemographic characteristics. The correlation between actual and perceived HIV risk also was determined. Results. Most (77.1%) of the respondents reported just 1 sexual partner in the past year; 26.0% reported using a condom at last intercourse. Males, persons who were younger, and Blacks were more likely to report 2 or more partners but also more likely to report using a condom at last intercourse. Only 4.1% of the respondents reported a risk factor for HIV infection; 7.7% reported that they were at medium or high risk for HIV. Actual and perceived HIV risk were positively associated. Conclusions. Most US adults do not engage in HIV-related risk behavior; those that do are more likely to report protective behavior. (Am J Public Health. 2001;91:1882-1888)

Many HIV-infected pregnant women are still not receiving adequate prenatal care. A survey in Texas found that 68% of 221 HIV-infected pregnant women received inadequate or no prenatal care.

Theory and research suggest that behavioral interventions to prevent HIV/AIDS may be most effective when they are personalized and affectively compelling, when they provide models of desired behaviors, and when they are linked to social and cultural narratives. Effective strategies must also take into account the opportunities and obstacles present in the local environment. The Modeling and Reinforcement to Combat HIV (MARCH) projects combine key aspects of individual behavior change with efforts to change social norms. There are 2 main components to the program: entertainment as a vehicle for education (long-running serialized dramas on radio or television portray role models evolving toward the adoption of positive behaviors) and interpersonal reinforcement at the community level (support from friends, family members, and others can help people initiate behavior changes; support through changes in social norms is necessary for behavioral effects to be sustained over time). Both media and interpersonal intervention activities should be linked to existing resources in the community and, wherever possible, provide increased access to preventive services, supplies, and other supporting elements. (Am J Public Health. 2001;91:1602-1607)

Objectives. This study evaluated 1995 guidelines for HIV testing of pregnant women. Methods. Analysis focused on Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for the years 1994 through 1999. Data were aggregated across states. Results. Percentages of pregnant women tested for HIV increased from 1995 to 1996 (from 41% to 53%) and again from 1997 (52%) to 1998 (60%). Conclusions. After implementation of the guidelines, the percentage of pregnant women tested for HIV increased, although nearly half had not been tested. More efforts are needed to encourage women to undergo testing for HIV during pregnancy, thus maximizing opportunities for offering antiretroviral therapy. (Am J Public Health. 2001;91:1291-1293)