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The purpose of this project was to establish a collection of datasets that could be used (1) to analyze the influence of partnership networks on the transmission of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, and (2) to examine the influence of study design on estimation of network properties and impacts. Eight studies contributed datasets to the collection.

They include:

1. Colorado Springs Project 90, 1988-1992
2. Bushwick [Brooklyn, NY] Social Factors and HIV Risk (SFHR) Study, 1991-1993
3. Atlanta Urban Networks Project, 1996-1999
4. Flagstaff Rural Network Study, 1996-1998
5. Atlanta Antiretroviral Adherence Study, 1998-2001
6. Houston Risk Networks Study, 1997-1998
7. Baltimore SHIELD (Self-Help in Eliminating Life-Threatening Diseases), 1997-1999
8. Manitoba Chlamydia Study, 1997-1998

Each study contains information on sexual, needle sharing, and/or social networks. Each dataset was harmonized to permit comparative analysis. Almost all of the studies were research projects funded by federal agency sources (e.g., United States Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health); one was funded by Canadian sources. These studies, all closed for further enrollment, provide a range of designs and study types as well as a range of transmitted diseases. This allows researchers to investigate the relative effect of personal behavior and network connections on the dynamics of disease transmission, and to explore the impact of sampling design on estimation of network properties. Respondents were asked questions about different test results such as HIV, chlamydia, syphilis and hepatitis. Demographic variables include race, ethnicity, marital status, age, and gender.

This study is part of the Seek, Test, Treat and Retain (STTR) Collaboration Project that involved over twenty studies in the fields of HIV and drug abuse. All studies were independently developed, but were chosen for the collaboration because they focused on one or more steps of the HIV treatment cascade: Seek, Test, Treat and Retain. As part of STTR Collaboration Project, the studies were grouped into Criminal Justice-related studies and Vulnerable Population-related studies. The data collected by these studies included twelve common domains (e.g., Demographic characteristics, Mental Health) in each of which a shared questionnaire or instrument was taken up by the studies and adapted to fit the study.

This study is divided into BCAP1/2 and BCU (or BCAP3):

BCAP1/2

• Compares Respondent-driven sampling (RDS)and Venue-based sampling (VBS) recruitment in terms of numbers of new diagnosis of HIV+ and examines the effectiveness of peer-driven intervention (PDI) in heterosexuals at high risk (HHR). BCAP2 only includes those who tested HIV+ in BCAP1 who were included in recruitment but not in the main analyses. PDI involving structured intervention sessions including a computerized "CARE for Prevention" tool and HIV pre-test and post-test counseling, the opportunity to educate three peers on core education messages, and navigation for those HIV infected. If HIV-negative: total 3.5 hours of facilitated/computer intervention activities, plus peer education experiences; if HIV-positive: 5 hrs facilitated/computer activities, plus peer education experiences and six months of navigation.

BCU (or BCAP3)

• BCU is a supplement study to BCAP1/2 and tests an anonymous, single-session HIV testing intervention (ASTN) in the same high-risk area (HRA) in Brooklyn as BCAP1/2 and compare to CTTN in two phases: the Seek and Test phase (N=750), and Treat and Retain phase (N=65). The primary endpoint of the Seek and Test intervention phase is the relative yield (proportion of newly identified HIV infections) of the RDS-ASTN intervention. The study assesses the proportion of those newly diagnosed that engages in activities of the Treat and Retain part (i.e., feasibility). The primary endpoints for the Treat and Retain intervention phase are the proportion linked to care within three months (i.e., attending a care appointment and receiving CD4 and viral load tests) and time to the HIV care appointment.1 BCU2 only includes those who tested positive in BCU1 who were included in ST counseling sessions and blood collection but not included in TrR phase.