The Nassau County Health Department conducted a rapid HIV testing initiative in 9 suburban communities at higher risk for HIV. Over a 2-year period, 186 people were tested at community events, with 0 positive results found. The initiative aimed to increase awareness and prevention in these communities, which had higher rates of poverty, STDs, and minority populations compared to other Nassau areas. Collaboration between multiple health agencies helped reach those most at risk through free, convenient testing using new rapid HIV tests.

1. The Scope of a Rapid HIV testing initiative in a Suburban Community; A Look
into a Nassau County Health Department Initiative
Mirco Joseph MS, CSCS
Dr. Martine Hackett PhD, MPH
Dr. Andrez Kozikowski PhD
“Know Your Status”!
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2. 1.2 million
12.8%
44% (African Americans)
IMPORTANT NUMBER: 13%

3. • 8 x Caucacian counterparts
• 58.9% - 13– 24 years of age
• 31.5% - 25– 34 years of age (CDC 2011).
• estimated 8,165 (48%)
• 1.5 times - deaths among whites (5,426)
• 3.2 times - deaths among Hispanics (2,586).

4. multifactorial associations between incidence of
HIV/AIDS and lower income.
1. Access to quality healthcare
2. Housing
3. HIV/AIDS prevention programs
The overrepresentation of HIV within this
community has been linked to the consequences….

5. Shift in Policy
Goal : early intervention and
prevention of HIV
Tradition:
1. Conventional methods
2. Testing in a clinical setting
New Direction:
1. Testing in non-clinical settings
2. Rapid HIV testing (RHIV)

6. What is Rapid HIV Testing?
• Immunoassay ( antibody screening test)
• Used for screening
• Produces quick results, in 30 minutes or less
• Use blood or oral fluid to look for antibodies
to HIV( finger prick or oral swab).

7. Know Your Status Initiative
• The Nassau County Department of Health + other
agencies conducted free HIV testing at select sites
within the most at risk communities in Nassau County.
• Selected communities included:
– Roosevelt
– Freeport
– Hempstead
– Westbury
– Uniondale
Voluntary participants were incentivized with gift cards of
$25 value

8. Selected Communities
• unequal distribution of wealth and health within
the county and is most evident when comparing
the 9 selected communities to the remainder of
the county.
• larger proportion of minorities
• a younger population
• lower socioeconomic status.,
• 46.4% of residents identify themselves as white
• 31% as black and 29.8% as Hispanic of any race

9. Agency Collaboration

11. The Where and The When

12. Results
• 186 participants
• 52% women
• 48% men.
• largest percentage of those tested: 45 years of age and over.
• 9% were under the age of 19. 6% of those tested were between
the ages of 19 and 24.
• 16% between the ages of 25 and 34.
• 10% between the ages of 35 and 44.
• Nationally, 31% of undiagnosed HIV positives lie in this age group.
• The rapid HIV Know Your Status testing program is 2 years old.
0 positive results.

13. Results Continued
• Administrative perspective
 Participants were motivated by incentives
• Participant perspective
 Event is good for the community.
 “ I gotta know that I’m good”
 “Do you mind if I take a few more condoms?”
• Investigator perspective
 Whether cautious, curious, incentive or
informative….mission accomplished at raising the
awareness of a community at risk

14. County Health Assessment

15. Distribution of STD’s within Nassau

16. Benjamin Franklin said, “ An ounce
of prevention is worth a pound of
cure.”
increased awareness
further reaching prevention
Increased prevention can lead to a
reduction in the numbers
positively affect HIV rates in selected
communities.

17. Key reasons for getting tested include:
• new HIV infections are likely caused by people unaware that they are infected
• HIV medicines are more effective if started early
• early treatment can mean the best health and a longer time before the
development of AIDS or other infections