 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Randy Alison Aussenberg, MA and Pierre Vigilance, MD, MPH. Health Promotion & Disease Prevention, Baltimore City Health Department, 210 Guilford Avenue, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202, 410-396-4438, Randy.Aussenberg@baltimorecity.gov
In order to improve HIV partner notification in Baltimore City, the Baltimore City Health Department has initiated a multi-prong policy approach incorporating communication among Baltimore’s public and private health care providers. HIV partner notification allows for, not only the potential identification of new cases, but also increased opportunities for pre-test and post-test risk reduction counseling, aiming to reduce many of the behavioral determinants of HIV/AIDS. HIV’s stigmatized status makes identifying, locating, and communicating with sex and needle-sharing partners of positive cases a controversial challenge. While the Health Department remains well-informed about how Health Department facilities notify partners, the Department would like to learn more about partner notification practices and attitudes at non-Department-run facilities. After reading existing literature as well as other jurisdictions’ policies and challenges, Baltimore City Health Department staff designed a survey and distribution plan for 1000 area health care providers, seeking attitudes related to HIV partner notification practice and policy. From this initial data collection, the Department utilized a focus group model to include area stakeholders and to incorporate their ideas and concerns about this polemic. The cooperation of physicians, nurses, counselors, and administrators from institutions of many sizes and affiliations allowed for educative communication regarding this risk-reduction approach. With continued analysis, the Health Department plans to use this initiative to assist providers and to guide legislative affairs with regard to the daunting task of HIV partner notification. This collaborative approach includes a variety of analytical elements that will assist leaders elsewhere in tackling similar challenges.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: HIV Interventions, Policy/Policy Development
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.