[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 180 (Wednesday, September 17, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 54458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-23676]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-03-114]


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 the CDC Reports 
Clearance Officer at (404) 498-1210.
    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. Send comments to Anne O'Connor, CDC 
Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-E11, 
Atlanta, GA 30333. Written comments should be received within 60 days 
of this notice.
    Proposed Project: HIV Counseling and Testing System--New--The 
National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHSTP), Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposes to start collection of a 
standard set of core variables for monitoring the HIV counseling, 
testing, and referral program using a new browser-based program 
evaluation and monitoring system. This request is for a 3-year 
clearance.
    CDC funds cooperative agreements for 65 HIV prevention projects (50 
states, 6 cities, 7 territories, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico) and 
approximately 50 community based organizations to support HIV 
counseling, testing, and referral programs. HIV counseling, testing, 
and referral services in STD clinics, Women's Health Centers, Drug 
Treatment Centers, and other health facilities have been described as a 
primary prevention strategy of the national HIV prevention program. The 
funded public health departments and community based organizations have 
increased the provision of HIV counseling, testing, and referral 
activities to those at increased risk for acquiring or transmitting 
HIV, as well as minority communities and women of child bearing age.
    CDC is responsible for monitoring and evaluating HIV prevention 
programs conducted under HIV Prevention cooperative agreements. HIV 
counseling, testing, and referral services are a vital component of HIV 
prevention programs. Without data to monitor and evaluate the impact of 
HIV counseling, testing, and referral programs, HIV prevention program 
priorities cannot be assessed and improved to prevent further spread of 
the epidemic. CDC needs minimal information from all grantees 
describing services provided for at-risk persons. The HIV Counseling 
and Testing System specify a minimal core dataset that will be used by 
all grantees. These data are routinely captured as part of provision of 
services.
    Grantees will be able to use either the CDC browser-based system or 
their own unique electronic system to collect and submit this 
information. All reporting to the CDC will take place electronically. 
Grantees may develop their own paper forms to assist data collection. 
Electronic systems, e.g., Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), may be 
used as appropriate to the setting. Completing the initial data 
submission will take approximately 2 minutes per electronic record. 
Approximately two (2) million records annually are expected from over 
11,000 directly and indirectly funded grantee facilities. Once data are 
entered into the browser-based system, additional data collection 
efforts are not required. The total burden hours are 66,733 hours 
annually. There is no cost to respondents.

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                                                                     Number of    Average burden
                   Respondents                       Number of     responses per   per response    Total burden
                                                    respondents     respondent      (in hours)      (in hours)
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CDC Grantees....................................          11,000             182            2/60          66,733
                                                 -----------------
    Total.......................................          11,000  ..............  ..............          66,733
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    Date: September 10, 2003.
Nancy E. Cheal,
Acting Associate Director for Policy, Planning and Evaluation, , 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 03-23676 Filed 9-16-03; 8:45 am]
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