Using Baltimore HIV behavioral surveillance data for local HIV prevention planning

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) and CDC's Enhanced Comprehensive HIV Prevention Plan (ECHPP) guide local HIV prevention efforts.
• Maryland developed a local HIV prevention plan for the Baltimore-Towson Metropolitan Statistical Area, identifying priority goals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the alignment of National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) indicators with NHAS/ECHPP-informed local HIV prevention goals.
• To facilitate the ongoing use of NHBS data for local HIV prevention and service planning.
• To establish a basis for future NHBS data utilization in local HIV decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Reviewed NHBS indicators for relevance to local HIV prevention priorities.
• Identified key HIV-related indicators within NHBS that align with or can inform local HIV priorities.
• Highlighted areas for improvement in NHBS and local data collection.

Main Results:

• Key NHBS indicators were identified as directly or indirectly related to local HIV prevention priorities.
• The project identified opportunities to enhance NHBS and local data collection to better inform HIV prevention planning.
• A framework was established for using NHBS data to support local HIV decision-making.

Conclusions:

• NHBS data can be effectively utilized to inform local HIV prevention planning in the Baltimore area.
• Enhancements in data collection and indicator alignment are recommended to further strengthen HIV prevention strategies.
• This project provides a model for integrating surveillance data into local HIV prevention and service planning.