Partner notification in HIV-1 infection: a population based evaluation of process and outcomes in Scotland

TY - JOUR

T1 - Partner notification in HIV-1 infection: a population based evaluation of process and outcomes in Scotland

AU - Mir, Noreen

AU - Scoular, Anne

AU - Lee, Karen

AU - Taylor, Avril

AU - Bird, Sheila M.

AU - Hutchinson, Sharon

AU - Worm, Anne-Marie

AU - Goldberg, David

N1 - dc.publisher: BMJ Publishing This paper reports on a multidisciplinary European study. Research Group 2 - Psychosocial Determinants of Wellbeing in Community & Healthcare dc.description.sponsorship: Scottish Office (Chief Scientist's Office) Ref K/OPR/2/2/D283

PY - 2001

Y1 - 2001

N2 - Objectives: To evaluate the process and outcomes of HIV partner notification (PN) activity in Scotland. Design: Retrospective population based study. Subjects: 114 adults newly diagnosed with HIV infection (index patients) in Scotland between September 1995 and August 1996. Setting: Healthcare settings in which all 114 new HIV diagnoses were made: 42 (37%) from genitourinary medicine; 32 (28%) infectious diseases; 18 (16%) general practice; and 22 (19%) from other sites. Main outcome measures: Number of partners notified and tested up to 9 months after initial diagnosis. Results: Of 114 index patients (IPs), information on current partners was available for 102 (89%). PN was not appropriate for 47 of the 102 IPs. The remaining 55 IPs identified 63 current partners at risk, of whom 51 were notified: 44 underwent HIV testing, which yielded 11 new HIV positive diagnoses. Information on previous partners was available for only 56 IPs (49%). PN was not appropriate for 30 of the 56 IPs; the remaining 26 IPs identified 46 previous partners at risk, of whom 12 were notified: four were tested, but yielded no new diagnoses. Conclusions: Notification of current partners was performed well and was an effective strategy for identification of HIV positive individuals at a presymptomatic stage. Notification of previous partners was limited. Partner notification was attempted in a wide range of healthcare settings. Given the clinical effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy, partner notification as a tool towards early diagnosis of HIV disease deserves renewed attention.

AB - Objectives: To evaluate the process and outcomes of HIV partner notification (PN) activity in Scotland. Design: Retrospective population based study. Subjects: 114 adults newly diagnosed with HIV infection (index patients) in Scotland between September 1995 and August 1996. Setting: Healthcare settings in which all 114 new HIV diagnoses were made: 42 (37%) from genitourinary medicine; 32 (28%) infectious diseases; 18 (16%) general practice; and 22 (19%) from other sites. Main outcome measures: Number of partners notified and tested up to 9 months after initial diagnosis. Results: Of 114 index patients (IPs), information on current partners was available for 102 (89%). PN was not appropriate for 47 of the 102 IPs. The remaining 55 IPs identified 63 current partners at risk, of whom 51 were notified: 44 underwent HIV testing, which yielded 11 new HIV positive diagnoses. Information on previous partners was available for only 56 IPs (49%). PN was not appropriate for 30 of the 56 IPs; the remaining 26 IPs identified 46 previous partners at risk, of whom 12 were notified: four were tested, but yielded no new diagnoses. Conclusions: Notification of current partners was performed well and was an effective strategy for identification of HIV positive individuals at a presymptomatic stage. Notification of previous partners was limited. Partner notification was attempted in a wide range of healthcare settings. Given the clinical effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy, partner notification as a tool towards early diagnosis of HIV disease deserves renewed attention.

U2 - 10.1136/sti.77.3.187

DO - 10.1136/sti.77.3.187

M3 - Article

SN - 1368-4973

VL - 77

SP - 187

EP - 189

JO - Sexually Transmitted Infections

JF - Sexually Transmitted Infections

IS - 3

ER -