P52.04
Background: HPTN 065 (TLC-Plus) evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of providing quarterly $70 financial incentive gift cards to HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy who maintained viral suppression (HIV RNA<400 copies/mL). A total of 39,359 FI gift cards were dispensed over 2 years by 19 HIV care sites in the Bronx, NY and Washington, DC.
Methods: Data for each gift card disbursed included dispensing site, transaction amount, and location of transaction (zip code). Cards never used and transactions without valid zip codes were excluded. ZIP Code Tabulation Areas were used to map the location of transactions by venue (Bronx/DC) and dispensing site. Python programing and Microsoft Excel 2010 were used for all analysis and visualization. For transactions that occurred outside of the local jurisdictions of DC and the Bronx, a random sample of transactions was examined to identify transactions made in person versus by internet/phone.
Results: Of 78,529 transactions for gift cards distributed in the Bronx, 3,611 (4.6%) transactions occurred outside of NY, linked to 1,852 unique gift cards of the 23,268 distributed. Of 62,022 transactions for gift cards distributed in DC, 3,928 (6.3%) occurred outside of DC, Maryland (MD) and Virginia (VA), linked to 1,987 unique gift cards of the 16,091 distributed. Transactions occurred in all 50 US states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and international locations. Of gift cards distributed in the Bronx but used outside of NY state, 62% were used in person and 74% of the gift cards distributed in DC, but used outside of DC, MD and VA, were used in person.
Conclusions: Gift cards distributed in this study were primarily used locally; however, about 5% of transactions were outside the local jurisdictions and mostly in person. These data suggest that HIV-infected individuals in the Bronx and DC travel throughout the US and beyond; thus, research is needed to understand their migration/travel patterns and the implications for interventions using ART for prevention.
