E6-18014. 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 Seleda Perryman, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail to [e-mail].

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

Medical Monitoring Project (MMP)—New—National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention (NCHSTP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

This proposed data collection supplements the HIV/AIDS surveillance programs in 26 selected State and local health departments, which collect information on persons diagnosed with, living with, and dying from HIV infection and AIDS and will incorporate data elements from two data collections: Supplement to HIV/AIDS Surveillance (SHAS) project (0920-0262) and the Adult/Adolescent Spectrum of HIV Disease (ASD). Both projects stopped data collection in 2004.

Although CDC receives surveillance data from all U.S. States, these supplemental surveillance data are needed to make estimates of key indicators, such as quality of HIV-related ambulatory care and the severity of need for HIV-related care and services. A large number of cities and States are heavily impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, resulting in the need for population-based national estimates of HIV-related behaviors, clinical outcomes, and quality of HIV care.

This project will collect data on behaviors and clinical outcomes from a probability sample of HIV-infected adults receiving care in the U.S. Collection of data from interviews with HIV-infected patients will provide information on patient demographics, and the current levels of behaviors that may facilitate HIV transmission: Sexual and drug use behaviors; patients' access to, use of and barriers to HIV-related secondary prevention services; utilization of HIV-related medical services; and adherence to drug regimens. Collection of data from patient medical records will provide information on: Demographics and insurance status; the prevalence and incidence of AIDS-defining opportunistic illnesses and co-morbidities related to HIV disease; the receipt of prophylactic and antiretroviral medications; and whether patients are receiving screening and treatment according to Public Health Service guidelines. No other Federal agency collects national population-based behavioral and clinical information from HIV-infected adults in care. The data will have significant implications for policy, program development, and resource allocation at the State/local and national levels.

CDC is requesting approval for a 3-year clearance for data collection. Data will be collected by 26 Reporting Areas (19 States, Puerto Rico and 6 separately funded cities). CDC estimates an average of 400 respondents per site with an 80% response rate, resulting in 8,320 respondents for the interview portion. A Short interview will be used for patients who are too ill to complete the Standard interview or when the interview must be translated, and a Proxy interview will be available if the patient consents to having a family member or other person answer the questions in the case of severe illness or in the event the selected participant died prior to being interviewed. The proxy and the short interview, each which will be used on approximately 2% of patients, will take approximately 20 minutes. Participation of respondents is voluntary and there is no cost to the respondents other than their time.

Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

Types of data collection	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hours)	Total burden hours
Standard interview	7,988	1	45/60	5,991
Short interview	166	1	20/60	55
Proxy interview	166	1	20/60	55
Total				6,101

Dated: October 23, 2006.

Joan F. Karr,

Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.