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James M. Tesoriero, PhD, Haven B. Battles, PhD, Karyn Heavner, PhD, Shu-YinJohn Leung, MA, Chris Nemeth, MA, Wendy Pulver, MS and Guthrie S. Birkhead, MD, MPH

At the time of the study, James M. Tesoriero, Haven B. Battles, Karyn Heavner, and Shu-Yin John Leung were with the Office of Program Evaluation and Research, New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, Menands. Chris Nemeth and Wendy Pulver are with the Bureau of HIV/AIDS Epidemiology, New York State Department of Health, Albany. Guthrie S. Birkhead is with the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, the New York State Department of Health Center for Community Health, and the School of Public Health, State University of New York, Albany.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to James M. Tesoriero, PhD, Director, Office of Program Evaluation and Research, AIDS Institute, New York State Department of Health, Riverview Center, 150 Broadway, Suite 516, Menands, NY 12204 (e-mail: jmt07{at}health.state.ny.us).

ABSTRACT

Objectives. We examined the effect of New York’s HIV Reporting and Partner Notification law on HIV testing levels and on the HIV testing decisions of high-risk individuals.

Methods. In-person interviews were administered to 761 high-risk individuals to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding HIV testing and reporting. Trends in HIV testing were also assessed in publicly funded HIV counseling and testing programs, Medicaid, and New York’s Maternal Pediatric Newborn Prevention and Care Program.

Results. High-risk individuals had limited awareness of the reporting and notification law, and few cited concern about named reporting as a reason for avoiding or delaying HIV testing. HIV testing levels, posttest counseling rates, and anonymous-to-confidential conversion rates among those who tested HIV positive were not affected by the law. Medicaid-related HIV testing rates also remained stable. HIV testing during pregnancy continued to trend upward following implementation of the law. Findings held true within demographic and risk-related subgroups.

Conclusions. HIV reporting has permitted improved monitoring of New York’s HIV/AIDS epidemic. This benefit has not been offset by decreases in HIV testing behavior, including willingness to test among those at high risk of acquiring HIV.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. M. Tesoriero, G. S. Birkhead, H. B. Battles, K. Heavner, S.-Y. John Leung, C. Nemeth, and W. Pulver TESORIERO ET AL. RESPOND Am J Public Health, October 1, 2008; 98(10): 1736 - 1736. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. A. Catania and D. Osmond COMMENT ON NAME-BASED REPORTING Am J Public Health, October 1, 2008; 98(10): 1735 - 1736. [Full Text] [PDF]