E7-23183. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; Pretesting of NIAID's HIV Vaccine Research Communications Messages

SUMMARY:

Under the provisions of section 3507(a)(1)(D) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve the information collection listed below. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on August 28, 2007, page 49282 and allowed 60-days for public comment. One public comment was received and was addressed in the OMB request. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment.

Proposed Collection: Title: Pretesting of NIAID's HIV Vaccine Research Communications Messages. Type of Information Collection Request: NEW. Need and Use of Information Collection: This is a request for clearance to pretest messages, materials and program activities produced for the NIAID HIV Vaccine Research Education Initiative (NHVREI). The primary objectives of the pretests are to (1) assess audience knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and other characteristics for the planning/development of health messages, education products, communication strategies, and public information programs; and (2) pretest these health messages, products, strategies, and program components while they are in developmental form to assess audience comprehension, reactions, and perceptions. The information obtained from audience research and pretesting results in more effective messages, materials, and programmatic strategies. By maximizing the effectiveness of these messages and strategies for reaching targeted audiences, the frequency with which publications, products, and programs need to be modified is reduced. Frequency of Response: On occasion. Affected Public: Individuals. Type of Respondents: Adults at risk for HIV/AIDS, particularly those who are Black/African-American, Hispanic/Latino, or men who have sex with men; healthcare providers; representatives of organizations disseminating HIV-related messages or materials. The annual reporting burden is shown in the table below. There are no Capital Costs to report. There are no Operating or Maintenance Costs to report.

Type of respondents	Estimated number of respondents	Estimated number of responses per respondent	Average burden hours per response	Estimated total annual burden hours requested
At-risk Adults	3,374	1	.3422	1,155
Healthcare providers	50	1	.75	37.5
Organization Gatekeepers	75	1	.50	37.5
Total	3,499			1,230

Request for Comments: Written comments and/or suggestions from the public and affected agencies should address one or more of the following points: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the function of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Direct Comments to OMB: Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time, should be directed to the: Office of Management and Budget, Office of Regulatory Affairs, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Attention: Desk Officer for NIH. To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, contact Katharine Kripke, Assistant Director, Vaccine Research Program, Division of AIDS, NIAID, NIH, 6700B Rockledge Dr., Bethesda, MD 20892-7628, or call non-toll-free number 301-402-0846, or E-mail your request, including your address to [e-mail].

Comments Due Date: Comments regarding this information collection are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of the date of this publication.

Dated: November 7, 2007.

John J. McGowan,

Deputy Director for Science Management NIAID.