Original Article

Effectiveness of a Federal Healthy Start Program on HIV/AIDS Risk Reduction among Women in Hillsborough County, Florida

Authors: Euna August, PhD, MPH, Muktar H. Aliyu, MD, DrPH, Alfred Mbah, PhD, Ifechukwude Okwechime, DVM, MPH, Korede K. Adegoke, MBBS, MPH, Cara de la Cruz, PhD, MPH, Estrellita “Lo” Berry, MA, Hamisu M. Salihu, MD, PhD

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the impact of the Central Hillsborough Healthy Start Project (CHHS) on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) diagnosis rates in women in Hillsborough County, Florida.

Methods: Project records were linked to hospital discharge data and vital statistics (Florida, 1998–2007; N = 1,696,221). The χ2 test was used to compare rates for HIV/AIDS and pregnancy-related complications for mothers within the CHHS service area with mothers in Hillsborough County and the rest of Florida.

Results: During a 10-year period, HIV/AIDS diagnosis rates among women in the CHHS service area declined by 56.3% ( P = 0.01). The observed decline was most evident among black women. HIV/AIDS diagnosis rates in the rest of Hillsborough County and Florida remained unchanged ( P = 0.48).

Conclusions: Lessons learned from the CHHS Project can be used to develop effective and comprehensive models for addressing the HIV epidemic.

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