6533b7d2fe1ef96bd125e262

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Confidentiality and disclosure of HIV infection: HIV-positive persons' experience with HIV testing and coping with HIV infection in Latvia.

subject

description

The objective of the study was to explore retrospectively HIV-infected individuals experience with HIV testing counseling and the issue of confidentiality in the Latvian context. A qualitative study using grounded theory approach and based on semi-structured in-depth interviews was implemented. 13 HIV-positive individuals above 18 were selected using purposeful sampling from the 63 HIV-positive individuals registered in Latvia between 1987 and 1997. HIV-infected people are worried that doctors sometimes disrespect confidentiality. Confidentiality was found to be a basic prerequisite for building trusting relationships between an HIV-infected individual and a doctor within the counseling process from the first visit to follow-up counseling and as one of the most important factors of the formation and proper functioning of the physician-patient relationship. Trusting relationships will not be established in situations when an HIV-infected individual is not seen by a doctor as a human being with needs worries and without understanding his or her situation. Breaches of confidentiality should be seen as shortsighted and can diminish the publics trust in physicians. Counseling should be sensitive to the cultural historical traditions and prevailing public health practices social values and political differences in attitude toward the importance of treating someone as a private individual. (authors)