PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Greensides, Dawn
AU  - Bishop, Kristina
AU  - Manfredini, Liz
AU  - Wong, Vincent
TI  - Do No Harm: A Review of Social Harms Associated with HIV Partner Notification
AID  - 10.9745/GHSP-D-23-00189
DP  - 2023 Dec 22
TA  - Global Health: Science and Practice
PG  - e2300189
VI  - 11
IP  - 6
4099  - http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/11/6/e2300189.short
4100  - http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/11/6/e2300189.full
SO  - GLOB HEALTH SCI PRACT2023 Dec 22; 11
AB  - Key FindingsThe majority of studies reviewed reported less than 1% of participants experienced social harms as a result of HIV partner notification services.The most prevalent form of social harm presented across the studies was relationship dissolution, followed by violence and loss of financial support.Key ImplicationsHIV partner notification services, using passive or assisted approaches, are a safe and effective method of identifying people living with HIV and linking them to care.Although social harms associated with HIV partner notification do occur, they are rare.It is important for countries to ensure the required minimum standards are in place to support providers, clients, and their partners without imposing unacceptable risks.Introduction:HIV partner notification services (PNS) are highly effective in identifying people living with HIV, but the complex risks and repercussions associated with HIV testing and disclosure must be examined. The benefits of assisting people to learn their HIV status and link with treatment or prevention based on their results must be considered alongside the risks of adverse events or social harms.Methods:The study team systematically searched the PubMed, EBSCO, and Web of Science electronic databases (2015–2021), as well as abstracts from the International AIDS Society Conference (2016–2020) and the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (2015–2020). Fifteen studies and 1 conference abstract met the inclusion criteria for this narrative review.Results and Discussion:Incidence of social harms across studies ranged from 0%–6.3%, with the higher range occurring among women with a previous history of intimate partner violence (IPV). The majority of the studies (69%) reported that less than or equal to 1% of participants experienced social harms as a result of PNS. Social harms included relationship dissolution, IPV, and loss of financial support.Conclusions:Evidence from a limited set of studies suggests that although social harms associated with HIV partner notification do occur, they are rare. Considering the rapid global scale-up of PNS, additional research and oversight are needed to provide countries with recommended minimum standards to support providers, clients, and their partners with safe partner notification.