Box 1. Description of 4 Key Content Areas Clinical outcomes
Data elements for clinical outcomes are those collected through the Adult/Adolescent Spectrum of HIV Disease Project. This project collects information about persons living with HIV who are receiving medical care. The information includes data on HIV morbidity, CD4 counts, viral loads, health care utilization, drug resistance, and proportion of persons in care who are receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy.
Incidence estimation
The goal of incidence estimation is to provide population-based data that will accurately characterize current HIV transmission. Specimens from newly reported HIV cases are tested by using STARHS (the serologic algorithm for recent HIV seroconversion) to detect recent infections.
Targeted specimen collection
The goal of targeted specimen collection is to collect biologic specimens in order to estimate HIV prevalence or the occurrence of new infections in specific subpopulations or settings.
Behavioral surveillance
Behavioral surveillance involves monitoring HIV risk and prevention behaviors among men who have sex with men, injection drug users, and heterosexual adults. Comparable to the behavioral questions asked in the Supplement to HIV/AIDS Surveillance and the HIV Testing Survey studies, behavioral surveillance may be conducted among persons living with HIV/AIDS or among persons at risk for HIV infection. |