A University of Texas at San Antonio researcher is analyzing behavioral and structural factors that may explain why some men in Bexar County know their HIV status while others remain unaware, work that could shape local prevention and service strategies.
County-wide survey targets gaps in awareness
AJ Delgado, Ph.D., an assistant professor in public health in UTSA’s College for Health, Community and Policy, conducted a county-wide online survey in collaboration with University Health’s Ryan White program and the Alamo Area Resource Center (AARC), a local nonprofit that provides healthcare and social services to people living with HIV/AIDS.
The research examines differences across three groups of men: those who have HIV, those who do not have HIV and those who do not know their status. Delgado is investigating factors such as age, job status, education level and a range of behavioral characteristics to determine which patterns are associated with awareness or lack of awareness.
"I chose to focus on men because men represent a significant proportion of people affected by HIV, both nationally and in Bexar County,"
The work comes as Bexar County is identified as a priority area for the federal Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, which aims to reduce HIV infections across the United States by directing resources where they are most needed.
Collaboration with local service providers
Delgado said his goal is not simply to measure risk, but to understand who is being missed by existing outreach and testing efforts and why. The study’s design reflects that aim: by partnering with University Health and AARC, the project seeks to produce findings that are directly actionable for AIDS service organizations (ASOs) and HIV prevention providers operating in San Antonio.
- Survey scope: county-wide online survey targeting men in Bexar County.
- Primary variables: age, employment, education and behavioral characteristics.
- Intended users: local ASOs, HIV prevention and care providers.
Researchers say understanding the local mix of structural and cultural factors that influence testing and diagnosis could improve targeting of prevention, testing and linkage-to-care services. By identifying subgroups with lower status awareness, local providers can refine messaging, testing locations and support services.
Why the focus on awareness matters locally
Awareness of HIV status is a critical step in both preventing new infections and connecting people with HIV to treatment. People who know their status can access antiretroviral therapy, which suppresses the virus and prevents transmission, while those unaware cannot take advantage of those clinical and public-health benefits.
| Group | Study focus |
|---|---|
| Men who have HIV | Factors tied to diagnosis and engagement in care |
| Men who do not have HIV | Prevention behaviors and risk profiles |
| Men who do not know their status | Barriers to testing and awareness |
The study does not report prevalence or numerical results in the materials shared publicly but is framed to deliver insights that local ASOs and public health agencies can use to tailor interventions.
Local officials and community organizations have supported prioritizing Bexar County for enhanced HIV prevention work; Delgado’s research is intended to add an evidence-based, locally specific lens to those efforts. By pinpointing who is being missed by current approaches and why, providers may better allocate outreach, testing and prevention resources — a central aim of the Ending the HIV Epidemic strategy that has focused additional federal and state attention on counties like Bexar.
As the research progresses, community-based partners such as AARC and University Health are expected to use findings to refine programming and outreach. For San Antonio residents, the study underscores ongoing efforts to reduce HIV transmission and improve access to testing and care within the county.
