Abstract

Blocks: an innovative community-based, block-by-block approach to identify unknown cases of HIV in New York City

Presented by Sara Gillen (United States).

Z. Naqvi¹, S. Gillen¹, E. Aponte¹, V. Mojica¹, P. McGovern<sup>2

1</sup>Harlem United Community AIDS Center, Inc., Prevention Division - Testing Services, New York, United States, ²Harlem United Community AIDS Center, Inc., New York, United States

Historically, HIV prevention efforts have focused on using approaches that target populations-at-risk. Research suggests these approaches may be less effective in high-prevalence (1 in 37or 2. 7%) communities where, at least 1 out of the 5 positive people are unaware of their status¹. Therefore, to promote routine testing, a block-by-block rapid HIV testing campaign was established to eliminate barriers and provide routine HIV testing for all residents.
Intervention method: Using epidemiological and program data, we identified high-impact zones. We trained peer educators and community organizers to conduct systematic outreach. These staff blanketed the area with HIV prevention messages through direct and non-direct means. We also set up mobile HIV testing in the area(s) week. Although, Blocks team moved to different zones to expand outreach after 4 months, we return to reinforce messages and provide testing.
Results: During a 2 year period our workers interacted with more than 10,000 individuals in the our targeted 'Blocks”. 4, 867 individuals were tested for HIV in the first year with a sero- positivity of 2.2 % and 3, 714 individual with a sero-positivity of 1.6% in year 2. Self-reported data indicated that more that 50% of the clients who tested positive were older men who perceived their HIV risk to be low prior to the test. Further community based data revealed a significant modification of beliefs & practices
Conclusion: We have found that this geographic- based- approach identifies previously undiagnosed HIV cases principally among older men and women who do not accurately perceive their HIV risk.