Klitzman R, Kirshenbaum S, Kittell L, Morin S, Mastrogiacomo M, Rotheram-Borus MJ, Daya S; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. MoPeE4039.
Columbia University, New York, United States
Background: Policies of partner notification, name-based HIV case reporting, and criminalization of non-disclosure of HIV-positive status to sexual partners continue to cause controversy in HIV-prevention efforts in the USA and elsewhere. Yet the views of persons living with HIV (PLH) toward these policies have received little systematic study. These views are important, since these individuals are most affected by these policies - the success or failure of which depend on the cooperation of those at risk or infected by the virus. Methods: Using qualitative methodology, we examined perceptions of public policies among 76 HIV-positive adults, including women, male injection drug users (IDU), and men who have sex with men (MSM). Results: Participants generally opposed name-based reporting, but supported partner notification and criminalization of non-disclosure. The reasons voiced included public health benefits (e.g., epidemiological surveillance, decreasing of spread of HIV, and notification of those infected); public health costs (e.g., deterrence of testing); political concerns about threats to privacy and civil rights; mistrust of government; beliefs that prevention is the responsibility of individuals, not the government; and psychological concerns about the impact of such policies on relationships. Misperceptions, confusion, and ambivalence arose and seemed to play important roles in individuals' attitudes and opinions concerning these policies. Conclusions: In developing, implementing, and revising HIV policies, the views of those most affected - which resemble and in some ways differ from those of policy makers and others - must be assessed and taken into account as much as possible; and public education campaigns are needed to correct misperceptions. These data suggest the difficulties involved in developing and implementing public policies that can affect intimate risk behavior and HIV transmission.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adult
- Contact Tracing
- Disclosure
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Male
- Names
- Perception
- Public Policy
- Risk-Taking
- Sexual Partners
- methods
- organization & administration
Other ID:
UI: 102280323
From Meeting Abstracts