nhbshet.htm

Health and Mental Health

Education

Arts and Culture

International

National HIV Behavioral Surveillance in the New Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Pilot High-Risk Heterosexual Cycle
Research Method: Surveillance; Basic Research
Principal Investigator: Aaron Roome, Ph.D., PI (CT State Dept. of Public Health); Stephen Schensul, Ph.D., Co-PI (University of Connecticut); Margaret R. Weeks, Ph.D., Co-PI (Institute for Community Research)
Grant: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cooperative Agreement
Partners: CT State Dept. of Public Health; University of CT, Department of Community Medicine; City of New Haven Health Department and City of Bridgeport Health Department

Background

HIV/AIDS infections acquired through heterosexual contact make up a large and increasing proportion of all reported cases, particularly among females. Behavioral surveillance among emerging at-risk populations, such as heterosexuals and women of color, will help direct and evaluate local and national HIV prevention efforts during periods of change in the epidemic. Behavioral surveillance among heterosexuals will also assist in focusing local prevention efforts for racial and ethnic minority populations, which face a disproportionate percentage of new HIV infections. It is increasingly important to understand risk factors for these populations so that culturally-specific interventions may be developed.

ICR researchers gained experience working with heterosexuals at risk of HIV while investigating women's reproductive and sexual health in the ICR study Microbicide Acceptability to Prevent HIV in High-Risk Women. During that project and a follow-up project, Female Condom Use in High Risk Women as Predictor of Microbicide Readiness, participants reported on their sexual experiences with primary, casual and paying partners in diaries, surveys and interviews. Currently, the ICR project Sustained Safer Behavior (Female Condom Use) in High-Risk Women to Prevent HIV is researching multiple personal, relationship, and contextual factors that affect whether at-risk individuals initiate and sustain female condom use.

Project Goals and Objectives


	Assess the prevalence of and trends in HIV risk behaviors, including sexual risk and drug-use risk behaviors, and testing behaviors, of heterosexuals in the New Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).
	Assess the exposure to, use of, and impact of HIV prevention services on the behavior of high-risk heterosexuals in the New Haven MSA.
	Identify HIV prevention service gaps.
	Assess the definition of heterosexuals at risk of HIV infection.
	Assess the relative ability of Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) to yield a representative sample of heterosexuals at risk of HIV infection.
	Assess the relative efficiency (in cost and time) of RDS and Venue-Based Sampling in accruing 750 interviews of eligible heterosexuals during the 2006-2007 pilot cycle.

Project Details

During the project’s formative phase (January to July 2006), project staff conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups with stakeholders and local community members to acquire knowledge of the local communities. DPH and ICR researchers also engaged in secondary data review and street observations in order to conduct community-embedded research. During the survey phase (July 2006 to September 2007), the project used Respondent-Driven Sampling to recruit 750 heterosexuals living in high-risk areas. Participants surveyed them about their behavior, as well as access to and utilization of HIV services in their area, and offered HIV testing to all participants. In addition, the New Haven NHBS project participated in the CDC Partner Study supplement, in which researchers surveyed male partners of African-American and Latina women in the NHBS-HET study. This supplemental study explores the risks minority women face that may directly result from their sexual partners’ behavior.

Staff Contact:
Margaret Weeks, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator

Project Staff:
CT Department of Public Health

Aaron Roome

Principal Investigator

University of Connecticut Health Center

Steven Schensul

Co-Principal Investigator

ICR

Margaret Weeks, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator

Orlando Velazco, B.A. (current)

Raul Pino, M.D. (former)

Field Supervisor

Chavon Hamilton

Outreach Interviewer

Jennifer Salonia, B.A.

Outreach Interviewer

Link to Research Methods page