Regional HIV/AIDS Prevention Gaps Analysis Questionnaire

Dear Colleague:

Between 2000 and 2004, the NYS DOH AIDS Institute (AI), in conjunction with local agencies and stakeholders, engaged in an extensive Regional Gaps Analysis (RGA) to inform the NYS HIV Prevention Planning Group's (PPG) priority setting process. The PPG is a group of 50 individuals representative of the HVI/AIDS epidemic from communities throughout the state. Its primary task is to develop recommendations as to how to improve HIV prevention throughout the state. The RGA was specifically designed to inform the PPG's deliberations by identifying priority populations in greatest need of HIV prevention services in each region of the state, as well as interventions most likely to successfully address those needs within the context of specific transmission categories (Injection Drug Use, Men Having Sex with Men, Heterosexual, and Pediatric/Perinatal). Each region's two-year process yielded rich and useful information which has since influenced the PPG's 2005-2010 Comprehensive HIV Prevention Plan, informed the AI in the development of RFA's and assisted agencies in your region responding to numerous solicitations.

The AIDS Institute and the PPG are once again gathering information for an updated Comprehensive HIV Prevention Plan to inform HIV prevention services in NYS. As you know, the years since the development of the RGA and the Comprehensive HIV Prevention Plan have seen many changes, both in the epidemic itself and in interventions for those at risk. With the understanding that these changes could potentially mean adjustments in your regions' priority populations and corresponding HIV prevention interventions, the AIDS Institute is embarking on development of an update of your region's or Borough's RGA. To that end, we as for your assistance in the following questionnaire:

  • Regional HIV/AIDS Prevention Gaps Analysis Questionnaire (this is for anyone who is interested in providing insight into what HIV/AIDS services are available in their region/Borough). This questionnaire is for anyone who is interested in providing insight into what HIV/AIDS services are available in their region/Borough. It is appropriate for anyone involved or interested in HIV/AIDS-related prevention activities in your community, including consumers and is specific to your identified region or Borough.

The questionnaire asks questions about the HIV/AIDS and STD prevention needs of specific populations and HIV/AIDS and STD-related services that may be available in your community. The questionnaire takes about 20 minutes to complete and is anonymous (names are not recorded). Please feel free to distribute this link throughout your community - we are interested in getting as much community input as possible.

Besides the questionnaire described above, similar questionnaires are being given one-on-one to individuals at events throughout the state and will also be used to inform the PPG's priority setting deliberations. Should you have any questions about any of these activities, please do not hesitate to call Wendy Shotsky at 518-473-2300 or e-mail her at wjs03@health.state.ny.us.

Thank you for your assistance in this important Regional Gaps Analysis update. Your participation will help us to best ascertain what HIV prevention gaps exist in your community. The results of the questionnaire will be available, by region, in early 2009.

Daniel A. O'Connell
Deputy Directory
HIV Prevention and Program Evaluation
NYS DOH AIDS Institute