[Federal Register: August 4, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 150)]
[Notices]               
[Page 45226-45227]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04au08-44]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-80-08BL]

 
Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-639-5960 
and send comments to Maryam I. Daneshvar, CDC Acting Reports Clearance 
Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail 
to omb@cdc.gov.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology. Written comments should be received 
within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    Rapid HIV Testing in Community Mental Health Settings Serving 
African Americans--New--National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD 
and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    People with chronic mental illness, including those with substance 
use disorders, are at increased risk of HIV compared with the general 
population. However, not enough is known about the risk behaviors, 
willingness to be tested for HIV and HIV prevalence among persons with 
chronic mental illness. In addition, the interrelations among diagnosis 
of HIV infection, compliance with medical care, subsequent risk 
behaviors, and the course of mental illness have not been well-
described. Mental health clinics are an important setting for HIV rapid 
testing and promoting prevention efforts against the transmission of 
HIV infection.
    The objectives of this project are to (1) demonstrate improved 
access to HIV testing and linkage to care in participating mental 
health care settings; and (2) describe the relationship between mental 
illness, HIV risk behaviors, and access to testing and services, in 
order to inform the development of optimal prevention interventions for 
persons with severe mental illness. Staff at selected implementation 
sites will offer testing for HIV to clients and administer a brief 
survey to assess risk behaviors, previous access to similar testing 
services, and mental health symptoms.
    CDC is requesting approval for a 2-year clearance for data 
collection. Data

[[Page 45227]]

will be collected in 6 community mental health sites. This project will 
collect data from clients using a brief survey administered on a 
voluntary basis. Collection of data will provide information on client 
demographics; current behaviors that may facilitate HIV transmission, 
including sexual and drug-use behaviors; current psychiatric symptoms, 
determined using brief rating scales; access and barriers to HIV 
testing, prevention, and treatment services; and adherence to 
psychiatric and medical treatment regimens.
    CDC estimates the response rate will be approximately 90%. Of the 
644 persons approached who agree to be surveyed, it is estimated that 
95% of persons will meet the eligibility criteria and 98% will be able 
to provide informed consent. Therefore, the goal will be to approach 
716 persons annually for participation in the study. The structured 
interview will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Participation 
is voluntary. Data collection will provide important insights into the 
relationship between HIV/STI risk behaviors and psychiatric illness.
    There is no cost to the respondents other than their time.

                                        Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              No. of      Average
                                                                 No. of     responses    burden per     Total
         Type of respondent                  Form name        respondents      per        response      burden
                                                                            respondent   (in hours)     hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approached Individual...............  Eligibility Screener..          644            1         1/60           11
Eligible participant................  Consent Questionnaire.          612            1        10/60          102
Consented participant...............  Core Questionnaire....          600            1        20/60          200
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    Total...........................  ......................  ...........  ...........  ...........          313
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Marilyn S. Radke,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.
[FR Doc. E8-17775 Filed 8-1-08; 8:45 am]

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