Impact Data - Red Ribbon Campaign - West Baltimore, MD, USA

In 2001, 88% of those surveyed said they knew where to go to get tested. This number increased in 2002 (to 91%), but then dropped in 2003 to 86%.

In Maryland, testing rose 9.6% statewide and 48% and 30% at 2 sentinel testing sites. Organisers say that community outreach activities resulted in 193 people getting tested on-site, and influenced many others to seek testing later.

There was an increase of 1500% in calls to a referral hotline the month after the campaign began, with 62% of callers citing the campaign as the impetus for their call.

The original campaign objective was a 10% increase per year in HIV testing. In Baltimore City, there was a 61% increase; in a 3-zip-code area, there was a 68% increase.

The campaign increased "intent to get tested" by 19%.

Campaign activities began in 1999. In 2001, 39% of those surveyed said they talked to a family member about some aspect of the campaign; 25% had talked to a health care provider. In 2002, those numbers increased to 54% (talked to a family member) and 37% (talked to a provider). In 2003, the figures were 58% and 42%, respectively.

40% of providers said they felt that the campaign helped them talk to their clients about HIV testing.

Case rate outcomes:
HIV incidence in the 3-zip-code area increased from 1994-1999 (at a rate of 35% per year) and then decreased from 1999-2002 by 24%. The HIV rate in the rest of the city and state was virtually unchanged from 1994-2002. The rates in the 3-zip-code area nonetheless remain higher than those in the rest of the city and state.