Partner acceptance of health department notification of HIV exposure, South Carolina

To determine the acceptability of health department notification of sex and needle-sharing partners of persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), we administered an anonymous questionnaire to partners notified of their exposure to HIV during the previous 2 years. Of the 202 partners notified, 132 (65%) were locatable and completed the questionnaire. Only 12 (9%) thought they may have been exposed to HIV before health department notification. When the 132 partners were asked if they thought the health department did the right thing in telling them about their exposure, 87% responded "yes;" when asked if the health department should keep notifying persons exposed to HIV, 92% responded "yes." Responses were similar for homosexual-bisexual men, heterosexuals, and intravenous drug users; men and women; and whites and blacks. We conclude that health department notification is acceptable to persons exposed to HIV in this rural South Carolina district.