Document 1935
 DOCN  M94A1935
 TI    Partner notification: evaluation of an Italian model.
 DT    9412
 AU    Serpelloni G; Carli L; Galran U; Simeoni E; Sez. di Screening HIV ULSS
       25 Verona, Italy.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):418 (abstract no. PD0281). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370640
 AB    OBJECTIVES: 1. Develop suitable Italian model of partner notification
       (PN) and contact tracing (CT); 2. Evaluate reactions by PHIV; 3. Contain
       the spread of the epidemic. METHODS: Patients with HIV were offered the
       possibility of accessing a voluntary PN-CT program. Three alternatives
       were available to those participating: (direct communication (PHIV
       directly informing sex/IDU partner (S-IDU PN); 2) assisted comunication
       (health worker and PHIV inform S-IDU PN of risk); 3) delayed
       comunication (PHIV maintains anonymity by giving references of S IDU PNs
       who are then contacted and informed by health worker). RESULTS: 41 PHIV
       were interviewed: ex-IDU 18, hetero--12, homo--6, bi--3, blood recipient
       1, active IDU 1. Of these, 23 were male and 18 female. 51% had a total
       compliance with the project; 44% partial compliance; 5% did not wish to
       participate. The number of primary S-IDU PN contacts referred by total
       sample of index patients was 49. Of these, 78% were informed via direct
       com.; 4% were informed via assisted com.; we were unable to inform 18%
       for various reasons. Of the primary S-IDU PN contacts notified, 48%
       tested negative; 52% tested positive. Casual S-IDU PN contacts totalled
       263, of whom 76% were referred by 4 index patients active as sex
       workers. Because of lack of clues on their whereabouts or identity only
       12 were traced and informed (7 via delayed com., 5 via direct com.).
       None of these tested positive. 23 index patients were interviewed. 91%
       felt that the PN-CT procedures as designed were acceptable. Primary
       reasons for NOT complying fully in PN-CT were: fear of being abandoned
       (57%), fear of being judged for behaviours of which partners were
       unaware (57%); fear that partners would inform others (52%); fear of
       aggression by partner (39%). CONCLUSIONS: Compliance levels suggest
       feasibility of PN-CT. A major obstacle is represented in terms of casual
       S-IDU PN because of lack of identifying clues. Seroconversions among
       contacted S-IDU PN referred were found only among primary partners. The
       data presented consists of preliminary research which is being continued
       as a means for constructing a model of voluntary PN-CT which will
       protect the rights of PHIV and permit early access to individuals
       potentially infected.
 DE    *Contact Tracing  Female  Human  Human Rights  HIV
       Infections/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL/TRANSMISSION  HIV
       Seropositivity/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  Interviews
       Italy/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Male  Patient Compliance  Sex Behavior  Support,
       Non-U.S. Gov't  MEETING ABSTRACT

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