Use of Death Certificates to Identify Tuberculosis-Related Deaths in Washington State.

CONTEXT: Death certificates are routinely used to estimate tuberculosis (TB) mortality rates. The validity of International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes and text cause of death data for this purpose is uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of ICD-10 coded and text cause of death data in identifying TB-related deaths in Washington State. DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study comparing TB-related deaths detected through Washington State death certificates to TB-related deaths identified in the Washington State TB registry during 2009-2010. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Sensitivity and positive predictive value of ICD-10 coded and text cause of death definitions in identifying TB-related deaths compared to the TB registry. RESULTS: All methods for identifying TB-related deaths using death certificate data overestimated the number of TB-related deaths compared to the tuberculosis registry. The positive predictive value ranged from 22% for a TB ICD-10 code as an underlying or multiple cause of death to 56% for TB listed in the direct cause of death text field. Seventeen (33%) of 51 subjects assigned with a TB ICD-10 code as an underlying or multiple cause of death had no evidence of TB on the death certificate and were not present in the TB registry. CONCLUSIONS: Death certificates were not highly predictive of TB-related deaths. Use of the direct cause of death text field was the most accurate method to identify a TB-related death when using death certificates. Specific ICD-10 coding algorithms may misclassify subjects as having died from TB.

HIV disclosure and subsequent sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men who meet online.

To assess HIV disclosure discussions and related sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) who meet sex partners online, 28 qualitative interviews with Seattle-area MSM were analyzed using grounded theory methods and themes and behavior patterns were identified. MSM found a greater ease in communicating and could prescreen partners through the Internet. However, no consistent relationship was found between HIV disclosure and subsequent behaviors: some were safer based on disclosure while perceived HIV status led others to risky behaviors. Interventions need to promote accurate disclosure while acknowledging its limitations and the need for men to self-protect.

Stochastic models to demonstrate the effect of motivated testing on HIV incidence estimates using the serological testing algorithm for recent HIV seroconversion (STARHS).

OBJECTIVES: To produce valid seroincidence estimates, the serological testing algorithm for recent HIV seroconversion (STARHS) assumes independence between infection and testing, which may be absent in clinical data. STARHS estimates are generally greater than cohort-based estimates of incidence from observable person-time and diagnosis dates. The authors constructed a series of partial stochastic models to examine whether testing motivated by suspicion of infection could bias STARHS. METHODS: One thousand Monte Carlo simulations of 10,000 men who have sex with men were generated using parameters for HIV incidence and testing frequency from data from a clinical testing population in Seattle. In one set of simulations, infection and testing dates were independent. In another set, some intertest intervals were abbreviated to reflect the distribution of intervals between suspected HIV exposure and testing in a group of Seattle men who have sex with men recently diagnosed as having HIV. Both estimation methods were applied to the simulated datasets. Both cohort-based and STARHS incidence estimates were calculated using the simulated data and compared with previously calculated, empirical cohort-based and STARHS seroincidence estimates from the clinical testing population. RESULTS: Under simulated independence between infection and testing, cohort-based and STARHS incidence estimates resembled cohort estimates from the clinical dataset. Under simulated motivated testing, cohort-based estimates remained unchanged, but STARHS estimates were inflated similar to empirical STARHS estimates. Varying motivation parameters appreciably affected STARHS incidence estimates, but not cohort-based estimates. CONCLUSIONS: Cohort-based incidence estimates are robust against dependence between testing and acquisition of infection, whereas STARHS incidence estimates are not.

Interpopulation variation in HIV testing promptness may introduce bias in HIV incidence estimates using the serologic testing algorithm for recent HIV seroconversion.

OBJECTIVES: The serologic testing algorithm for recent HIV seroconversion (STARHS) calculates incidence using the proportion of testers who produce a level of HIV antibody high enough to be detected by ELISA but low enough to suggest recent infection. The validity of STARHS relies on independence between dates of HIV infection and dates of antibody testing. When subjects choose the time of their own test, testing may be motivated by risky behaviour or symptoms of infection and the criterion may not be met. This analysis was conducted to ascertain whether estimates of incidence derived using STARHS were consistent with estimates derived using a method more robust against motivated testing. METHODS: A cohort-based incidence estimator and two STARHS methods were applied to identical populations (n=3821) tested for HIV antibody at publicly funded sites in Seattle. Overall seroincidence estimates, demographically stratified estimates and incidence rate ratios were compared across methods. The proportion of low-antibody testers among HIV-infected individuals was compared with the proportion expected given their testing histories. RESULTS: STARHS estimates generally exceeded cohort-based estimates. Incidence ratios derived using STARHS between demographic strata were not consistent across methods. The proportion of HIV-infected individuals with lower antibody levels exceeded that which would be expected under independence between infection and testing. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence estimates and incidence rate ratios derived using methods that rely on the changing antibody level over the course of HIV infection may be vulnerable to bias when applied to populations who choose the time of their own testing.

HIV risk associated with gay bathhouses and sex clubs: findings from 2 seattle surveys of factors related to HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

OBJECTIVES: We studied the HIV risk behaviors of patrons of the 3 commercial sex venues for men in Seattle, Washington. METHODS: We conducted cross-sectional, observational surveys in 2004 and 2006 by use of time-venue cluster sampling with probability proportional to size. Surveys were anonymous and self-reported. We analyzed the 2004 data to identify patron characteristics and predictors of risk behaviors and compared the 2 survey populations. RESULTS: Fourteen percent of respondents reported a previous HIV-positive test, 14% reported unprotected anal intercourse, and 9% reported unprotected anal intercourse with a partner of unknown or discordant HIV status during the current commercial sex venue visit. By logistic regression, recent unprotected anal intercourse outside of a commercial sex venue was independently associated with unprotected anal intercourse. Sex venue site and patron drug use were strongly associated with unprotected anal intercourse at the crude level. The 2004 and 2006 survey populations did not differ significantly in demographics or behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Patron and venue-specific characteristics factors may each influence the frequency of HIV risk behaviors in commercial sex venues. Future research should evaluate the effect of structural and individual-level interventions on HIV transmission.

Access to regular HIV care and disease progression among black African immigrants.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected black African immigrants living in King County, Washington, we evaluated delay in HIV diagnosis, access to HIV care, and risk of progression to AIDS or death. METHODS: We compared differences in the risk of progression to AIDS or death between HIV-positive African-born black individuals and 2 groups of HIV-positive US-born individuals. RESULTS: There were significant differences across the groups in residence at time of HIV diagnosis, gender, HIV transmission category, and initial CD4 count. Black Africans were more likely to present with an AIDS diagnosis (45%), compared to both US-born nonblacks (25%) and US-born blacks (35%). No significant independent associations were observed in rates of HIV disease progression when black African immigrants were compared to their US-born counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Once having initiated HIV care, African-born blacks accessed HIV care and progressed to AIDS at similar rates compared to US-born individuals. However, African-born blacks initiated care with more advanced HIV disease. Results underscore the need for health interventions promoting HIV testing among black African immigrants and reducing barriers to HIV testing.

Trends in evaluation for sexually transmitted infections among HIV-infected people, King County, Washington.

OBJECTIVE: To assess clinician sexual risk assessment and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening rates in a large cohort of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in King County, Washington. METHODS: We abstracted data from medical records of HIV-infected patients seen in diverse clinical settings during 2000-2003 and used [chi]2 and logistic regression to identify factors associated with higher rates of sexual risk assessment and STI testing. We defined patients as having had a sexual risk or STI assessment if the medical record included any information about the patient's recent sexual behavior or included laboratory test results for gonorrhea, chlamydial infection, syphilis, or trichomoniasis. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with any recorded risk assessment or STI testing increased from 16% in 2000 to 46% in 2001, and thereafter remained stable. On multivariate analysis, having a sexual risk or STI evaluation was significantly associated with later time period of evaluation, receiving care in a HIV specialty clinic, higher number of outpatient visits, being men who have sex with men, Seattle residence (vs. residence outside Seattle), female gender, higher CD4 count, white race, and having never received antiretroviral therapy. CONCLUSION: Although sexual risk and STI evaluation rates increased from 2000 to 2001, they now appear to be stable and many patients, particularly those seen outside of HIV specialty clinics, are not routinely evaluated for ongoing risks or STI. Clinicians and public health authorities need to develop better mechanisms to assure recommended risk assessments and STI testing among persons with HIV.

Telephone notification of HIV test results: impact in King County, Washington.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated if receiving HIV test results over the telephone was associated with a change in the number of persons who received results. STUDY DESIGN: Data were collected from individuals testing for HIV from 1995 to 2002 at selected public clinics in King County, WA. Rates of receiving HIV test results were calculated for periods before and after telephone results were offered, for persons who were offered and accepted, offered but declined, and not offered telephone results. RESULTS: For persons testing HIV positive, overall rates of receiving results before and after telephone results were offered increased from 85% to 94% (P = 0.07). After controlling for confounders, people in the group offered and accepting telephone results were 2.5 (95% CI 1.7-3.6) times more likely to get HIV results compared to persons in the group not offered telephone results. CONCLUSIONS: Notifying persons of their HIV test results over the telephone may increase the numbers of people receiving results.

Estimating the distribution of a renewal process from times at which events from an independent process are detected.

The analysis of length-biased data has been mostly limited to the interarrival interval of a renewal process covering a specific time point. Motivated by a surveillance problem, we consider a more general situation where this time point is random and related to a specific event, for example, status change or onset of a disease. We also consider the problem when additional information is available on whether the event intervals (interarrival intervals covering the random event) end within or after a random time period (which we call a window period) following the random event. Under the assumptions that the occurrence rate of the random event is low and the renewal process is independent of the random event, we provide formulae for the estimation of the distribution of interarrival times based on the observed event intervals. Procedures for testing the required assumptions are also furnished. We apply our results to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test data from public test sites in Seattle, Washington, where the random event is HIV infection and the window period is from the onset of HIV infection to the time at which a less sensitive HIV test becomes positive. Results show that the estimator of the intertest interval length distribution from event intervals ending within the window period is less biased than the estimator from all event intervals; the latter estimator is affected by right truncation. Finally, we discuss possible applications to estimating HIV incidence and analyzing length-biased samples with right or left truncated data.

Increased access to unrestricted pharmacy sales of syringes in Seattle-King County, Washington: structural and individual-level changes, 1996 versus 2003.

We examined pharmacists' attitudes and practices related to syringe sales to injection drug users before and after legal reform and local programming to enhance sterile syringe access. We replicated a 1996 study by conducting pharmacist phone surveys and syringe test-buys in randomly selected pharmacies. Test-buy success increased from 48% in 1996 to 65% in 2003 (P=.04). Pharmacists agreeing that syringes should be available to injection drug users through pharmacy purchase increased from 49% to 71% (P<.01). Pharmacy policies and pharmacist attitudes were strongly associated with syringe access. Structural changes, including policy reform and pharmacy outreach, appear to increase syringe access. Interventions should address pharmacy policies and pharmacist attitudes and policies.

Epidemiology of MDMA and associated club drugs in the Seattle area.

Club drug use, MDMA in particular, appeared as a growing problem in the Seattle area in the late 1990s. To understand more about the patterns of MDMA use and to evaluate the current state of MDMA use, multiple data sources were examined. The seven data sources utilized included local community-based club drug surveys collected in 2003 at raves, treatment agencies, and gay-oriented bars and sex clubs; school surveys (collected in 2002); mortality data (deaths between 2000 and 2002); data from the sexually transmitted disease clinic (October 2002 to October 2003); focus groups (2003) with men who have sex with men; emergency department drug mentions (1995 to 2002); and drug treatment admissions (1999 to 2003). Taken together, these data indicate moderate levels of MDMA use and relatively low levels of mortality and acute morbidity. However, there are several areas of concern including possible mental health effects and high levels of suspected adulteration of MDMA. Some data point to a relationship between MDMA use and risky behaviors including unprotected sex. Implications for prevention, intervention, and treatment are discussed.

A media campaign to promote pneumococcal vaccinations: is a telephone survey an effective evaluation strategy?

PURPOSE: Media campaigns are used to achieve public health goals but few studies have documented whether the goals were met. METHODS: Two communities received community-wide efforts to increase the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) rate in defined pneumococcal disease-risk groups. One community also received a media campaign consisting of television and newspaper advertisements. A random-digit-dial telephone survey was conducted before and after the media campaign in both of the designated media markets. In addition to direct mailings to a sample of Medicare beneficiaries whose Medicare billing records did not indicate a PPV billing claim after 1991, community-wide campaigns consisting of table tents, brochures, flyers, and posters occurred in both markets. A 29-day television campaign and a 5-week newspaper campaign occurred in one of the markets. RESULTS: We were unable to detect a significant effect of the media campaign on either PPV awareness or self-reported receipt of pneumococcal vaccine. CONCLUSION: While it is important to evaluate community health intervention efforts, evaluations can be very difficult. Because of financial and other limitations, most feasible evaluation methods will not have the power to detect changes attributable to the intervention nor to provide confidence that there was no important change.

Choosing HIV Counseling and Testing Strategies for Outreach Settings: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: In surveys, clients have expressed preferences for alternatives to traditional HIV counseling and testing. Few data exist to document how offering such alternatives affects acceptance of HIV testing and receipt of test results. OBJECTIVES: This randomized controlled trial compared types of HIV tests and counseling at a needle exchange and 2 bathhouses to determine which types most effectively ensured that clients received test results. METHODS: Four alternatives were offered on randomly determined days: (1) traditional test with standard counseling, (2) rapid test with standard counseling, (3) oral fluid test with standard counseling, and (4) traditional test with choice of written pretest materials or standard counseling. RESULTS: Of 17,010 clients offered testing, 7014 (41%) were eligible; of those eligible, 761 (11%) were tested: 324 at the needle exchange and 437 at the bathhouses. At the needle exchange, more clients accepted testing (odds ratio [OR] = 2.3; P < 0.001) and received results (OR = 2.6; P < 0.001) on days when the oral fluid test was offered compared with the traditional test. At the bathhouses, more clients accepted oral fluid testing (OR = 1.6; P < 0.001), but more clients overall received results on days when the rapid test was offered (OR = 1.9; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Oral fluid testing and rapid blood testing at both outreach venues resulted in significantly more people receiving test results compared with traditional HIV testing. Making counseling optional increased testing at the needle exchange but not at the bathhouses.

Designing an HIV counseling and testing program for bathhouses: the Seattle experience with strategies to improve acceptability.

Bathhouses are important venues for providing HIV counseling and testing to high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM), yet relatively few bathhouses routinely provide this service, and few data are available to guide program design. We examine numerous logistic considerations that had been identified in the HIV Alternative Testing Strategies study and that influenced the initiation, effectiveness, and maintenance of HIV testing programs in bathhouses for MSM. Key programmatic considerations in the design of a bathhouse HIV counseling and testing program included building alliances with community agencies, hiring and training staff, developing techniques for offering testing, and providing options for counseling, testing, and disclosure of results. The design included ways to provide client support and follow-up for partner notification and treatment counseling and to maintain relationships with bathhouse management for support of prevention activities. Early detection of HIV infection and HIV prevention can be achieved for some high-risk MSM through an accessible and acceptable HIV counseling and testing program in bathhouses. Keys to success include establishing community prevention collaborations between bathhouse personnel and testing agencies, ensuring that testing staff are supported in their work, and offering anonymous rapid HIV testing. Use of FDA approved, new rapid tests that do not require venipuncture, centrifugation, or laboratory oversight will further decrease barriers to testing and facilitate implementation of bathhouse testing programs in other communities.

Overcoming barriers to HIV testing: preferences for new strategies among clients of a needle exchange, a sexually transmitted disease clinic, and sex venues for men who have sex with men.

OBJECTIVE: To determine strategies to overcome barriers to HIV testing among persons at risk. METHODS: We developed a survey that elicited testing motivators, barriers, and preferences for new strategies among 460 participants at a needle exchange, three sex venues for men who have sex with men, and a sexually transmitted disease clinic. RESULTS: Barriers to testing included factors influenced by individual concern (fear and discrimination); by programs, policies, and laws (named reporting and inability to afford treatment); and by counseling and testing strategies (dislike of counseling, anxiety waiting for results, and venipuncture). The largest proportions of participants preferred rapid testing strategies, including clinic-based testing (27%) and home self-testing (20%); roughly equal proportions preferred oral fluid testing (18%), urine testing (17%), and standard blood testing (17%). One percent preferred home specimen collection. Participants who had never tested before were significantly more likely to prefer home self-testing compared with other strategies. Blacks were significantly more likely to prefer urine testing. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies for improving acceptance of HIV counseling and testing include information about access to anonymous testing and early treatment. Expanding options for rapid testing, urine testing, and home self-testing; providing alternatives to venipuncture; making pretest counseling optional; and allowing telephone results disclosure may encourage more persons to learn their HIV status.