5th International AIDS Conference Montreal, Quebec, Canada — Jun 4-9, 1989

Int Conf AIDS 1989 Jun 4-9; 5:164 (abstract no. A.519)
Conway GA, Hooper EY, Helgerson SD, Petersen LR, Leach R, Johannes P; Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia

OBJECTIVE: To assess existing levels and future trends of HIV infection among American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States.

METHODS: Following approval from tribal authorities, blinded seroprevalence testing will be conducted on sera obtained for syphilis screening from prenatal patients, patients undergoing initial evaluation for a sexually transmitted disease, and patients entering drug or alcohol treatment programs. The study will be conducted throughout the Indian Health Service (IHS) (user population of approximately 1,144,000 individuals). Approximately 75,000 sera will be tested for HIV antibodies during a one-year study interval starting in 1989. Results will be stratified by reason for sera being obtained and by rural or urban clinical setting. Data will be aggregated by clusters of greater than or equal to 20,000 service population to further protect confidentiality and ensure statistical reliability of results.

RESULTS: The pilot phase will begin in January, 1989. By March, 1989, surveys are expected to be implemented in many of the IHS service areas.

CONCLUSION: These surveys will provide relatively unbiased estimates of seroprevalence for the clinic subpopulations of IHS service users. It should also serve as a baseline that may be followed through time for the assessment of the progress of the epidemic and preventive activities in this population.

890604
A519

Copyright © 1989 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.