District Of Columbia HIV/AIDS Epidemic – Part 9

Behavioral Surveillance: Participants

The District’s HIV/AIDS Behavioral Surveillance (HBS) Summary Report 2008 was released in March. This HBS concentrated on heterosexuals at risk of HIV infection (HBS-HET).

The targeted population for this HBS-HET was males and females 18 years and over who had sexual intercourse with a member of the opposite sex in the past 12 months and had some connection to a geographical high risk area (HRA). The HRAs were those with the highest poverty rates and the highest AIDS rates. There were 4 such HRAs: one was located in Ward 7, one was in Ward 8, one was located on the border between Wards 5 and 6, and one included parts of Wards 1, 2, 5, and 6. See Part 4

Participants filled out a survey and were offered free anonymous rapid HIV tests. The participants were given risk reduction materials, free condoms, and service referrals as needed. Participants also received monetary rewards for participating.

The majority of participants: was over 30 years old (61.4%), was black (92.3%), had never been married (61.6%), had a high school degree or less (85.7%), had an annual household income of less than $9,999 (60%), and, if insured, was insured through Medicaid or Medicare (91.8%).

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