scholarly journals Estimating Gains in HIV Testing by Expanding HIV Screening at Routine Checkups

2021 ◽  
pp. e1-e4
Author(s):  
Deesha Patel ◽  
Weston O. Williams ◽  
Janet Heitgerd ◽  
Nicole Taylor-Aidoo ◽  
Elizabeth A. DiNenno
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
The United States ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Hiv Screening ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
Missed Opportunity

Objectives. To estimate gains in the prevalence of individuals who had ever been tested for HIV overall and by subpopulations from increases in the percentage of persons who had a routine checkup and were tested. Methods. We used data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to determine the prevalence of individuals who were ever tested for HIV and the prevalence of missed opportunities for HIV testing among those never tested in the United States. We assessed the effect of absolute percentage increases in having ever been tested among those who had a past-year routine checkup on increasing the overall prevalence of having ever been tested. Results. In 2019, 49.5% of US adults had ever been tested for HIV; 34.5% had a missed opportunity. A 50% increase in testing at routine checkups would increase the prevalence of having ever been tested to 84.0%. Increases in the prevalence of having ever been tested ($85%) was highest among persons aged 35 to 54 years, Black persons, persons who were female at birth, persons with health insurance, and persons reporting HIV risk behaviors. Conclusions. Fully incorporating HIV screening into primary care would greatly increase the proportion of US adults who have been tested for HIV. Public Health Implications.Continued efforts to promote HIV testing, including implementing routine screening in clinical settings, will help ensure that all US adults know their HIV status. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print June 29, 2021: e1–e4. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306321 )

scholarly journals Decreasing Trends in HIV Testing among Adults in Georgia: Analysis of the 2010-2014 BRFSS Data

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin E. Ansa ◽  
Sashia White ◽  
Yunmi Chung ◽  
Selina A. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
The United States ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
High Risk Behaviors ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
Living With Hiv

Georgia is ranked fifth highest among states for rates of HIV diagnosis. About 4% of persons living with HIV infection in the United States reside in Georgia, and almost 19% of these people do not know their HIV status. The present study examined the trends and associated factors of HIV testing among adults in Georgia between 2010 and 2014 by analyzing data of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). A total of 30,791 persons aged ≥18 years were identified who responded to the question “Have you ever been tested for HIV?” Overall, there were 11,543 respondents who had been tested for HIV, with a decrease in percentage from 49.4% in 2010 to 43.7% in 2014 (p<0.001). Factors associated with HIV testing were being black (p<0.001), being younger than 55 years (p<0.001), single (p=0.02), attaining education level above high school (P<0.001), engaging in HIV high-risk behaviors (p<0.001), and not having healthcare coverage (p=0.03). Overall in Georgia, there has been a decline in the temporal trend of HIV testing, and more than half of adults have never been tested for HIV. For reducing HIV transmission in Georgia, enhancing access and utilization of HIV testing should be a public health priority.

Prevalence and Predictors of Home Health Care Workers’ General, Physical, and Mental Health: Findings From the 2014‒2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 (12) ◽  
pp. 2239-2250
Author(s):  
Madeline R. Sterling ◽  
Jia Li ◽  
Jacklyn Cho ◽  
Joanna Bryan Ringel ◽  
Sharon R. Silver
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Home Health Care ◽  
Home Health ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
Risk Factor Surveillance ◽  
General Physical

Objectives. To determine the prevalence and predictors of US home health care workers’ (HHWs’) self-reported general, physical, and mental health. Methods. Using the 2014–2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we analyzed the characteristics and health of 2987 HHWs (weighted n = 659 000) compared with 2 similar low-wage worker groups (health care aides and health care support workers, not working in the home). We conducted multivariable logistic regression to determine which characteristics predicted HHWs’ health. Results. Overall, 26.6% of HHWs had fair or poor general health, 14.1% had poor physical health, and 20.9% had poor mental health; the prevalence of each outcome was significantly higher than that of the comparison groups. Among HHWs, certain factors, such as low household income, an inability to see a doctor because of cost, and a history of depression, were associated with all 3 aspects of suboptimal health. Conclusions. HHWs had worse general, physical, and mental health compared with low-wage workers not in home health. Public Health Implications. Increased attention to the health of HHWs by public health experts and policymakers is warranted. In addition, targeted interventions appropriate to their specific health needs may be required. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(12):2239–2250. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306512 )

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