Abstract
Six intensive observational studies of HIV testing sites were undertaken in order to improve understanding of confidential and anonymous testing. Three sites offered only confidential testing (a large health maintenance organization's Urgent Care clinic, the same organization's HIV clinic, and a private medical practitioner's office), one offered only anonymous testing (a free clinic), and two offered a choice of confidential or anonymous testing (a thrift shop alternate testing site and a mobile testing unit). Multiple data collection strategies were used including direct field observation, semistructured interviews with clients and providers, and document and policy analysis. Using an organizational/interactional uncertainty framework, this study found that the choice between anonymous and confidential testing is a central aspect of the HIV testing process, that some clients are unclear about the differences between anonymous and confidential testing, that alternate testing sites' providers play a significant role in encouraging confidential rather than anonymous testing in order to further their organization's resource needs and public health goals, and that testing counselors' may consider that some clients prefer anonymous testing because of fear of stigma, discrimination, or loss of privacy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 157-166 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | AIDS Patient Care and STDs |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2005 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Leadership and Management
- Nursing(all)
Cite this
Anonymous versus confidential HIV testing : Client and provider decision making under uncertainty. / Grusky, Oscar; Roberts, Kathleen Johnston; Swanson, Aimee Noelle; Joniak, Elizabeth; Leich, Jennifer; McEvoy, Gwen; Murphy, Keith; Schilt, Kristen; Wilson, Valerie.
In: AIDS Patient Care and STDs, Vol. 19, No. 3, 03.2005, p. 157-166.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Anonymous versus confidential HIV testing
T2 - Client and provider decision making under uncertainty
AU - Grusky, Oscar
AU - Roberts, Kathleen Johnston
AU - Swanson, Aimee Noelle
AU - Joniak, Elizabeth
AU - Leich, Jennifer
AU - McEvoy, Gwen
AU - Murphy, Keith
AU - Schilt, Kristen
AU - Wilson, Valerie
PY - 2005/3
Y1 - 2005/3
N2 - Six intensive observational studies of HIV testing sites were undertaken in order to improve understanding of confidential and anonymous testing. Three sites offered only confidential testing (a large health maintenance organization's Urgent Care clinic, the same organization's HIV clinic, and a private medical practitioner's office), one offered only anonymous testing (a free clinic), and two offered a choice of confidential or anonymous testing (a thrift shop alternate testing site and a mobile testing unit). Multiple data collection strategies were used including direct field observation, semistructured interviews with clients and providers, and document and policy analysis. Using an organizational/interactional uncertainty framework, this study found that the choice between anonymous and confidential testing is a central aspect of the HIV testing process, that some clients are unclear about the differences between anonymous and confidential testing, that alternate testing sites' providers play a significant role in encouraging confidential rather than anonymous testing in order to further their organization's resource needs and public health goals, and that testing counselors' may consider that some clients prefer anonymous testing because of fear of stigma, discrimination, or loss of privacy.
AB - Six intensive observational studies of HIV testing sites were undertaken in order to improve understanding of confidential and anonymous testing. Three sites offered only confidential testing (a large health maintenance organization's Urgent Care clinic, the same organization's HIV clinic, and a private medical practitioner's office), one offered only anonymous testing (a free clinic), and two offered a choice of confidential or anonymous testing (a thrift shop alternate testing site and a mobile testing unit). Multiple data collection strategies were used including direct field observation, semistructured interviews with clients and providers, and document and policy analysis. Using an organizational/interactional uncertainty framework, this study found that the choice between anonymous and confidential testing is a central aspect of the HIV testing process, that some clients are unclear about the differences between anonymous and confidential testing, that alternate testing sites' providers play a significant role in encouraging confidential rather than anonymous testing in order to further their organization's resource needs and public health goals, and that testing counselors' may consider that some clients prefer anonymous testing because of fear of stigma, discrimination, or loss of privacy.
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U2 - 10.1089/apc.2005.19.157
DO - 10.1089/apc.2005.19.157
M3 - Article
VL - 19
SP - 157
EP - 166
JO - AIDS Patient Care and STDs
JF - AIDS Patient Care and STDs
SN - 1087-2914
IS - 3
ER -