Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2006 Feb 7;Published Online Ahead of Print [Epub ahead of print] p. 1-9]

Passin WF, Kim AS, Hutchinson AB, Crepaz N, Herbst JH, Lyles CM; the HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Synthesis Project Team. From the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.

Abstract
The objectives of this study were to understand client and provider attitudes, experiences, and practices regarding HIV partner notification in the United States and to help identify future research and program needs.

GOALS
The goals of this study were to synthesize the literature reporting client and provider attitudes, experiences, and practices and to identify potential negative effects of HIV partner notification.

STUDY DESIGN
This study consisted of a systematic qualitative review.

RESULTS
Clients were willing to self-notify partners and participate in provider notification, and few reported negative effects. The majority of healthcare providers were in favor of HIV partner notification; however, they did not consistently refer index clients to HIV partner notification programs.

CONCLUSION
Considering that clients have positive attitudes toward self- and provider referral, local HIV prevention programs need to ensure that all HIV-positive clients are offered partner notification services. Additional research is needed to assess the potential risks of notifying partners and to identify effective techniques to improve client and provider participation.

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