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Partner notification and the control of human immunodeficiency virus infection

Article Abstract:

A number of strategies, such as partner notification, have been developed to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The effectiveness of these programs has become especially important in the last decade due to the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS. (HIV is often, but not exclusively, spread by sexual relations between heterosexual and homosexual couples.) Partner notification generally involves identifying, screening and, if necessary, treating the sexual partners of patients who are diagnosed with STDs. Many have advocated the use of this technique to help prevent the spread of HIV. This study examined the effectiveness of using partner notification to control the transmission of HIV and diagnose infected individuals. Interviews were conducted with AIDS patients and their opposite sex partners (heterosexual couples); the patients' cases were reported to the Department of Public Health in San Francisco during a 27-month period, which began in June 1985. Of the 2,404 AIDS patients reported, 145 (6 percent) met the study requirements; 51 patients (35 percent) were interviewed. These interviews led to the identification of 135 opposite-sex partners who were potentially exposed to HIV. Fifty-nine (44 percent) were interviewed. Of these 59 partners, 34 agreed to be tested for HIV antibodies (an indication of HIV infection). Positive test results were obtained in 7 individuals (21 percent), 25 (74 percent) tested negative, and 2 (6 percent) had uncertain results. The costs of this strategy were higher than those of general AIDS counseling and education programs, but partner notification would probably be more cost effective in the long run because it focuses on high-risk individuals. Partner notification is an effective means of identifying those infected with HIV and controlling further spread of this virus. Initial costs are higher than other prevention programs, but by targeting high-risk persons, the long-term costs could be less. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sexually transmitted diseases, Laws, regulations and rules, Prevention, HIV infection, HIV infections, Sexually transmitted disease prevention, AIDS (Disease), Disease reporting

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Kaposi's sarcoma reporting in San Francisco: a comparison of AIDS and cancer surveillance systems

Article Abstract:

The incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma was examined using two population-based registries in the San Francisco Bay Area. One registry, the California Tumor Registry (CTR), has collected data on all newly diagnosed cancer cases among the residents of the San Francisco-Oakland Metropolitan Statistical Area since 1969. The second registry is at the San Francisco Department of Health AIDS office, which has recorded AIDS cases diagnosed in San Francisco since November 1980. The two registries were linked, and a comparison of the reported cases of Kaposi's sarcoma in males under age 60 was conducted. The number of reported cases was approximately the same in the two registries for the years 1980 to 1986. However, only 72.3 percent (961 of the 1,330 cases) were reported in both registries. Of the 160 Kaposi's sarcoma cases that were found in the AIDS registry only, 6.9 percent were found in the CTR under another type of cancer diagnosis. Of the 209 cases of Kaposi's sarcoma found only in the CTR, 52 percent were found in the AIDS registry with another diagnosis. Possible explanations for the discrepancies between the two registries include that different criteria for confirming diagnosis of KS were used, and case confirmation was not complete for cases diagnosed in 1987 in the CTR file. Also, the linkage process may have missed some matches due to technical reasons, such as the use of different names by the patients. This study shows that the number of cases of Kaposi's sarcoma may be increasing in San Francisco, contrary to the evidence taken from each of the CTR and AIDS registries alone. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Reports, Diagnosis, San Francisco, California, Kaposi's sarcoma

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