The Houston Health Department (HHD) requests City Council approval of an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 2016-0459 to increase the maximum contract amount and authorizing a First Amendment to an agreement between the City of Houston and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston for Behavioral Surveillance Services. The amendment extends the end date of the contract from December 31, 2018, by adding two (2) successive one-year automatic renewals to the agreement. This will extend the agreement through December 31, 2020. It also increases the maximum contract amount by $700,000.00 making the new maximum contract amount $1,587,131.00.
The purpose of this contract is to monitor trends in the HIV epidemic and to estimate the number of persons diagnosed with HIV infection. This information provides data needed to determine populations and areas in which to focus prevention activities. The behavioral surveillance service is a qualitative study in which participants are recruited from three at risk populations: 1) men who have sex with men (MSM); 2) injection drug users (IDU); and 3) high risk heterosexuals (HRH). Data is collected using a questionnaire developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Data from the survey will be used for: (1) identifying specific sexual and drug-use behaviors known to be associated with HIV/STD infection; (2) conducting formative research to describe the demographic, social and behavioral characteristics of questionnaire respondents; (3) estimating the prevalence and trends of HIV testing behaviors and exposure to and utilization of HIV/STD prevention services funded by CDC, state and local health departments; and (4) characterizing prevention-service gaps and missed opportunities for prevention.
Fiscal Note:
No fiscal note is required for grant items.
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Stephen L. Williams, M.Ed., M.P.A.
Director, Houston Health Department
Prior Council Action:
06-14-16; 2016-0459
ESTIMATED SPENDING AUTHORITY
Department: FY19 Out Years Total Amount
Houston Health $59,483.84 $640,516.16 $700,000.00
Department