Managerial Database II

Network-Wide Assessment of Current Health Status and Behavioral Risk Factors

This study will collect information on health status and risk behaviors, as well as basic demographic and biomedical information for a group of HIV positive adolescents receiving care at the ATN sites.

The proposed study is a cross sectional study intended to be conducted at each of the 15 Adolescent Medicine Trials Units (AMTUs) participating in the ATN and to enroll all participating patients followed at each site. This approach will allow for the examination of the broad spectrum of youth participating in the ATN, including those newly entered into care.

Psychosocial and risk-taking behavioral data will be collected using Audio Compute-Assisted Self-Interview (ACASI); biomedical information will be collected through medical chart abstraction.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Laboratory evidence of HIV-1 infection documented by a positive result on any of the following licensed tests at any time: Any HIV-1 antibody test confirmed by Western blot, HIV-1 culture, HIV-1 DNA PCR, or plasma HIV-1 RNA PCR > 1,000 copies/ml;
• Knowledge of HIV positive diagnoses;
• Age 12 years through 24 years, inclusive;
• Engaged in care at the AMTU or its affiliate and/or partnering clinic. Individuals will be considered to be engaged in care if:
• Diagnosed less than or equal to 12 months prior to the date of approval to generate the master list and has attended a minimum of one visit since diagnosis for the management of HIV disease or its sequelae; or
• Diagnosed more than 12 months prior to the date of approval to generate the master list and has had a minimum of one visit, as described above, within the past 12 months.
• Ability to understand written and/or verbal English
• Ability and willingness to provide signed consent/assent;
• Parental/legal guardian permission (if applicable)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of serious psychiatric symptoms (e.g., active hallucinations, thought disorder) that would impair the individuals' ability to complete the study measures;
• Visibly distraught (e.g., suicidal, homicidal, exhibiting violent behavior); or
• Intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or other substances at the time of consent/assent.