Behavioral Surveillance

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"Effective HIV prevention programs rely primarily on changing behavior;

therefore, behavioral data are needed to inform these programs." ^[1]

The Florida Department of Health, HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Section was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to implement the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) System to monitor behaviors that place people at risk for HIV infection. NHBS is conducted in over twenty U.S. metropolitan areas with high AIDS prevalence. NHBS involves a repeated, cross-sectional survey and voluntary HIV testing of populations at high risk for HIV infection: men who have sex with men (MSM), injection drug users (IDU), and heterosexuals at risk for HIV infection (HET). NHBS activities are implemented in rotating cycles so that data are collected from each risk group approximately once every three years; these study cycles are referred to as NHBS-MSM, NHBS-IDU, and NHBS-HET. The study provides data on 1) trends in sexual and drug-use risk behaviors, 2) HIV prevalence and incidence, 3) HIV testing patterns, and 4) the use and impact of prevention services. The overarching goal of NHBS is to help evaluate and direct local and national prevention efforts.

The bureau is collaborating with the CDC and the University of Miami to conduct NHBS in South Florida. The project is known locally as ACXION (Assessing Characteristics of population X In ON-going surveillance). Consenting participants complete an anonymous interview consisting of the core NHBS questionnaire and a local questionnaire tailored to South Florida. Local questions address topics such as crystal methamphetamine use, use of the Internet for high-risk behaviors, depression, and social support. Participants also receive anonymous HIV counseling and testing, as well as referrals to psychosocial and healthcare services. Shown below are the ACXION logo and the mobile van where participants are interviewed and tested:

project ACXION logo Acxion testing van

NHBS-IDU3 (2012): Staff is currently conducting the third IDU study cycle in Miami-Dade County. Findings from this study cycle are forthcoming.

NHBS-MSM3 (2011): In Miami-Dade County, venue-based sampling was used to recruit a sample of 512 MSM attending venues frequented by MSM (e.g., clubs, bars, restaurants). Findings from this study cycle are forthcoming

NHBS-HET2 (2010):In Miami-Dade County, respondent-driven sampling (respondents refer peers to participate) was used to recruit a sample of 577 heterosexually active adults with lower socio-economic status (i.e., lower income or education). See the links section below to view findings or for information on the methodology

NHBS-IDU2 (2009): In Miami-Dade County, respondent-driven sampling (respondents refer peers to participate) was used to recruit 963 IDUs, of whom 608 were eligible for participation. See the links section below to view findings or for information on the methodology.

NHBS-MSM2 (2008): In Miami-Dade County, venue-based sampling was used to recruit a sample of 527 MSM attending venues frequented by MSM (e.g., clubs, bars, restaurants). Broward County is no longer an eligible NHBS site due to new funding criteria. See the links section below to view findings or for information on the methodology.

NHBS-HET (2007): In Miami-Dade and Broward counties, venue-based sampling was used to recruit a sample of 1,224 heterosexually active adults from areas with high rates of poverty and HIV/AIDS. However, the vast majority of venues from which participants were recruited were not associated with HIV risk (e.g., grocery stores, Laundromats, beauty supply stores). See the links section below to view findings or for information on the methodology.

NHBS-IDU (2005–2006): In Miami-Dade and Broward counties, respondent-driven sampling (respondents refer peers to participate) was used to recruit a sample of 934 IDUs. See the links section below to view findings or for information on the methodology.

NHBS-MSM (2004-2005): In Miami-Dade and Broward counties, venue-based sampling was used to recruit a sample of 1,540 MSM attending venues frequented by MSM (e.g., clubs, bars, restaurants). See the links section below to view findings or for information on the methodology.

For additional information, please contact Marlene Lalota., at (850) 245-4444, extension 4423.

LINKS

Florida NHBS Findings, 2004-2007

Behavioral Surveillance Among People at Risk for HIV in the U.S.: The National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System

HIV Behavioral Surveillance in the U.S.: A Conceptual Framework

CDC National HIV Behavioral Surveillance

Men Who Have Sex with Men

MMWR “Prevalence and Awareness of HIV Infection
Among MSM - 21 Cities, United States, 2008”

Florida NHBS-MSM2 Fact Sheet

Florida NHBS-MSM2 Slide Set

Florida NHBS-MSM2 Data-at-a-Glance

Florida NHBS-MSM Fact Sheet