The Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) requests City Council’s approval of an agreement with University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston for Behavioral Surveillance Services. The term of the agreement is June 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and shall automatically renew for two (2) successive one year terms so long as the City makes sufficient supplemental allocations. University of Texas Health Science Center will provide all services under the contract for a fee paid from the HDHHS grant funds. The initial allocation of funds is $114,852.40. The total maximum contract amount is $887,131.00.
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) in specific sexual and drug-use behaviors known to be associated with HIV/STD infection; (2) estimating demographic, social and behavioral correlates of behavioral outcomes of interest; (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