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Context and Purpose: This study examined the predictors of HIV testing and factors associated with intention to accept a free HIV test among 244 Hispanic migrant/seasonal farmworkers in South Florida. Methods: Time and space sampling procedures were used to recruit participants in public venues. Bilingual staff interviewed eligible respondents in these settings. Findings: Despite high rates of sexual risk, only 21% of respondents had been tested for HIV. The majority of those tested were females tested during prenatal care. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, being female (odds ratio [OR] = 3.73), having at least 12 years of education (OR = 4.46), earning more than $201 per week (OR = 2.76), and ever having used marijuana (OR = 3.31) were positively associated with having been tested for HIV, while not being documented (OR = 0.24) and having rated one's health as "very good" or "good" (OR = 0.42) were negatively associated with testing. The multivariable predictors of intention to accept a free HIV test were having visited a health care provider and/or an emergency room in the past 12 months (OR = 1.97), having been tested for HIV (OR = 2.36), preferring an HIV test that used a finger stick for specimen collection with results given in 30 minutes (OR = 4.47), and worrying "some" or "a lot" about getting HIV (OR = 3.64). Women (OR = 0.52) were less likely than men to intend to accept a free HIV test. Our findings highlight the importance of routinely offering HIV testing to sexually active individuals in high HIV prevalence areas. They also suggest the need to make testing more accessible to migrant and seasonal farmworkers.

From a study of high-risk minority women, we examined data for a subgroup of 201 women who participated in a 'male condom-focused' HIV prevention intervention, and who reported having attempted to convince their main partner to use condoms in the 3 months following intervention. Factors related to consistent condom use with a main partner post-intervention were not living with the partner, fewer sexual encounters, and no recent sexual encounter in which either partner was under the influence of drugs. At 3 months following intervention, factors related to women's future intentions to use condoms consistently with a main partner were: no recent sex while either partner was under the influence of drugs, and the woman's desire to use condoms consistently with the partner. Main partner's resistance to condoms was unrelated to consistent condom use or future intentions to use condoms consistently. Findings identify barriers to consistent condom use within primary relationships, a critical yet challenging focal point for HIV prevention interventions. KEYWORDS. Male condom use, heterosexual, minority women, HIV risk

A framework of CIRCLE, comprising of communication, inclusiveness, reciprocity, cultural competence, linkages and empowerment, was created for evaluating the Ryan White CARE Act which administers funds for several social programs for HIV patients. The health care programs are evaluated through the CIRCLE for their performance in treating and alleviating the sufferings of HIV carriers and organizational and financial bottlenecks are removed for proper functioning of the community programs. The framework enables proper communication of the needs of HIV patients to the health service personnel and helps restore HIV patients to the maximum level of competence in less time.

Title H of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act of 1990 provides formula-based grants to States to help them improve the quality, availability, and organization of health […]

Abstract: Authorities frequently state that education is the "only" method we have to stop the AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) epidemic until a vaccine and/or curative therapy is available. We suggest that education, while critically important to our efforts to stop transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), needs to be bolstered by additional voluntary approaches. Control of parenteral drug use, prevention of ulcerative sexually transmitted diseases, provision of expanded contraceptive services to seropositive reproductive age women, and reinforcement of risk-reduction behaviors through extended follow-up interventions are required as well. The support of these voluntary programs is a necessary complement to educational approaches which impact on HIV transmission and eventually on the AIDS epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HRSA, AHCPR and NCAP convened a working meeting in November 1991, to discuss creation of a national agenda for research and evaluation on HIV service delivery systems that are cost-effective, responsive to the needs of the diverse populations affected by the epidemic, and reflective of the lessons learned so far. In this article, the interests and goals of the conveners are described, the meeting's process and outcomes are discussed, and the nine key study areas that were identified and chosen by the meeting participants are presented. It is hoped that this article will stimulate further interest among private and public funders and among the research community in fostering the implementation of HIV service delivery-related research and evaluation studies. If this is accomplished, decision-makers will be better enabled to make informed and responsive policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During 1973 and 1974, we looked for cases of Colorado tick fever throughout Colorado; 228 cases were identified. Although 90% of the patients reported exposure to ticks before illness, only 52% were aware of an actual tick bite. Typical symptoms of fever, myalgia, and headache were common, but gastrointestinal symptoms were also prominent in 20% of the patients. Twenty percent were hospitalized; no deaths or permanent sequelae were noted. Persistent viremia (greater than or equal to 4 weeks) was found in about half of the cases; this finding was not associated with the occurrence of prolonged symptoms (greater than or equal to 3 weeks), which were also reported in half of the cases. One patient became reinfected with the virus. Increasing tourism in endemic areas and the frequent occurrence of prolonged or biphasic illnesses provide the potential for patients with Colorado tick fever to seek medical care anywhere in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]