Skip directly to searchSkip directly to the site navigationSkip directly to the page's main content

Health Indicator Report of Adults Ever Tested for HIV

Knowing they have HIV infection allows people with HIV to protect other people with whom they have sex or share drugs and needles from becoming infected. Knowing that one is positive for HIV helps that person to make better decisions about sex and health care. Persons who know they have HIV can get medical care and take antiviral medications that can reduce HIV spread by as much as 96%.

Notes

**NJBRFS data was not collected in 2019

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health, [http://www.state.nj.us/health/chs/njbrfs/]

Data Interpretation Issues

Starting in 2011, BRFSS protocol requires that the NJBRFS incorporate a fixed quota of interviews from cell phone respondents along with a new weighting methodology called iterative proportional fitting or "raking". The new weighting methodology incorporates additional demographic information (such as education, race, and marital status) in the weighting process. These methodological changes were implemented to account for the underrepresentation of certain demographic groups in the land line sample (which resulted in part from the increasing number of U.S. households without land line phones). Comparisons between 2011 and prior years should therefore be made with caution. (More details about these changes can be found at [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6122a3.htm].) Data from the New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey are intended to represent non-institutionalized adults in households with telephones. Data are collected using a random sample of all possible telephone numbers. Prior to analysis, data are weighted to represent the population distribution of adults by age, sex, and "race"/ethnicity. As with all surveys, however, some residual bias may result from non-response (e.g., refusal to participate in the survey or to answer specific questions) and measurement error (e.g., social desirability or recall). Attempts are made to minimize such error by use of a strict calling protocol (up to 15 calls are made to reach each household), good questionnaire design, standardization of interviewer behavior, interviewer training, and frequent, on-site interviewer monitoring and supervision.

Definition

Percentage of adults aged 18-64 years who have ever been tested for HIV.

Numerator

Weighted number of survey respondents in designated subgroup who reported ever been tested for HIV.

Denominator

Weighted total number of survey respondents in designated subgroup except those with missing, "Don't know/Not sure," and "Refused" responses.

What Is Being Done?

HIV rapid tests have been developed allowing an individual to receive a result in 20 to 40 minutes. These tests are offered at many of New Jersey's publicly funded sites. This should greatly increase the percentage of persons tested for HIV at publicly funded sites who receive their test results.

Available Services

Find an HIV testing center: [http://nj.gov/health/hivstdtb/hiv-aids/getting-tested/index.shtml]

Health Program Information

NJDOH HIV/AIDS Program: [http://nj.gov/health/aids/index.shtml]
Page Content Updated On 02/01/2023, Published on 02/01/2023
The information provided above is from the Department of Health's NJSHAD web site (https://nj.gov/health/shad). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Fri, 29 March 2024 1:08:02 from Department of Health, New Jersey State Health Assessment Data Web site: https://nj.gov/health/shad ".

Content updated: no date