An Implementation Evaluation of the Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Act (CARA) Policy in New Mexico.

Purpose: The purpose of this field report is to describe an evaluation of the fidelity with which the comprehensive addiction and recovery act (CARA) policy has been implemented in New Mexico.

Description: The CARA program in New Mexico focuses on providing nonpunitive supportive care for pregnant people affected by substance use and on coordinating services for parents, caregivers, and family members of newborns affected by substance exposure. The evaluation used information from program reports, a family follow-up survey, the plan of safe care database, and a data linkage between CARA participant records with Medicaid claims data.

Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology for respondent-driven sampling studies: "STROBE-RDS" statement.

Objectives: Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is a new data collection methodology used to estimate characteristics of hard-to-reach groups, such as the HIV prevalence in drug users. Many national public health systems and international organizations rely on RDS data. However, RDS reporting quality and available reporting guidelines are inadequate.

Assessing the assumptions of respondent-driven sampling in the national HIV Behavioral Surveillance System among injecting drug users.

Several assumptions determine whether respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is an appropriate sampling method to use with a particular group, including the population being recruited must know one another as members of the group (i.e., injection drug users [IDUs] must know each other as IDUs) and be networked and that the sample size is small relative to the overall size of the group.

Comparison of demographic and behavioral characteristics of men who have sex with men by enrollment venue type in the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System.

Background: During 2003-2005, the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System (NHBS) enrolled men who have sex with men (MSM) from 12 different venue types in 15 metropolitan areas in the United States. Our goal was to examine whether limiting NHBS enrollment venues to gay bars and dance clubs could increase efficiency without changing the overall results and conclusions.

Methods: We used logistic regression analysis to compare the demographic characteristics and reported HIV risk behaviors among MSM enrolled in gay bars and dance clubs with those enrolled in sex venues and those enrolled in other venues.

HIV behavioral surveillance among the U.S. general population.

HIV behavioral surveillance in the United States is conducted among three groups: infected populations, high-risk populations, and the general population. We describe the general population component of the overall U.S.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk, prevention, and testing behaviors--United States, National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System: men who have sex with men, November 2003-April 2005.

Problem/condition: For CDC's goal of reducing the number of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections to be achieved, data are needed to assess the prevalence of HIV-related risk behaviors at a given time, monitor trends in these behaviors, and assess the correlates of risk. These data also can be used to evaluate the extent to which current HIV-prevention programs are reaching targeted communities and direct future HIV-prevention activities to reduce HIV transmission.

Reporting Period: November 2003-April 2005.

Use of and exposure to HIV prevention programs and services by persons at high risk for HIV.

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.

Prevalence of treatment optimism-related risk behavior and associated factors among men who have sex with men in 11 states, 2000-2001.

Sustainable behavior change among men who have sex with men (MSM) may be threatened by optimistic beliefs about HIV treatments: treatment optimism has been associated with high risk sexual behaviors. We used data from behavioral surveys of MSM attending gay bars in 11 states from 2000-2001 to describe the prevalence and correlates of being less careful with sex or drugs because of treatment optimism (optimism-related risk behavior). Fifteen percent of 1477 HIV-negative or -untested MSM reported optimism-related risk behavior.

Failure to return for HIV test results among persons at high risk for HIV infection: results from a multistate interview project.

Background: Voluntary counseling and testing is an important strategy for HIV prevention. For optimal impact, however, clients must return for HIV test results and counseling. The goal of this study was to document the frequency of self-reported failure to return for HIV test results (FTR) and associated reasons among persons at high risk for HIV infection.