Risk behavior and correlates of risk for HIV infection in the Dallas County Household HIV survey.
OBJECTIVE
The Dallas County study of a proposed national household seroprevalence survey was designed to assess the feasibility of conducting a national survey and to estimate the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus infection for Dallas County. Risk behavior data were collected and correlated with HIV infection.


METHODS
Participants in this survey represented a probability sample of the county. A self-administered questionnaire on demographic characteristics and HIV risk behavior was completed and a blood sample was obtained.


RESULTS
Of the 1724 adults eligible for the survey, 1446 completed the questionnaire and 1374 provided a blood sample. The prevalence estimates were 0.4% for HIV and 7.3% for hepatitis B virus. A strong relationship was observed between HIV and hepatitis B status and risk behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study population, receptive anal intercourse and increasing numbers of male partners had the strongest correlation with the prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B virus infection in men. The high level of risk reporting for individuals positive for HIV or hepatitis B suggests that survey participants who engage in risk behaviors were willing to report those behaviors.
McQuillan
G M
GM
National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, Md 20782.
Ezzati-Rice
T M
TM
Siller
A B
AB
Visscher
W
W
Hurley
P
P
D000328:Adult; D015982:Bias; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006306:Health Surveys; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology