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Intention to notify sexual partners about potential HIV exposure
among New York city STD clinics' clients.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2002;29:465-471.
Carballo-Diéguez A, Remien RH, Benson DA, Dolezal C, Decena
CU, Blank S.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Partner notification legislation has recently been implemented
in New York State. GOAL: The goal of the study was to assess willingness
of individuals seeking HIV testing to (1) give counselors contact information
about partners, if infected, and (2) contact partners on their own. STUDY
DESIGN: Before implementation of the legislation, 1372 individuals seeking
HIV testing at New York City Department of Health STD clinics completed a
brief, anonymous survey. RESULTS: More than 90% of heterosexually active
individuals and more than 80% of men who have sex with men (MSM) could contact
sex partners with whom they had had unprotected vaginal/anal sex. Were they
to test HIV-positive, almost all respondents would have been willing to notify
sex partners personally; 90% of heterosexually active individuals and 80%
of MSM also expressed willingness to provide contact information to providers.
Respondents preferred to be notified by a sex partner rather than by a provider.
Patient-referred clients reported being more comfortable with the referral
than provider-referred clients. CONCLUSIONS: Voluntary partner notification
performed by the index case-with notification by the provider should the
former fail to occur-is recommended.