Changes in Partnerships and HIV Risk Behaviors After Partner Notification

In Brief Background and Objective Few studies have examined the effect of partner notification (PN) on behavior change and partnerships. This study investigated both. Goal The goal was to examine the effect of PN on sexual behaviors and partnership dissolution and formation. Study Design Subjects included HIV-positive persons interviewed to identify partners for notification, partners notified of exposure, and HIV-negative persons receiving HIV counseling and testing (controls). Subjects were interviewed about behaviors and relationships at baseline and at 3- and 6-month visits. Partnerships in which both subject and partner received PN were compared to partnerships in which only the subject received PN and to control partnerships. Results Partnerships where both persons received PN were less likely to break up or acquire new partners and more likely to use condoms at follow-up. Conclusion PN did not increase partnership dissolution or formation and was associated with higher condom use, suggesting the value of PN in HIV prevention. A study of persons receiving HIV partner notification, compared with a control group of persons not receiving it, showed that partner notification did not increase partnership dissolution or formation and was associated with higher condom use.