Community-Based HIV Partner Services in Massachusetts: A Successful Model

Background: The Department of Public Health's (DPH) HIV/AIDS Bureau and the Division of STD Prevention collaborated to pilot a confidential, client-centered model of HIV Partner Services (PS) to address the ongoing issue of late entry into care, identify new cases of HIV, and to assist with partner elicitation and notification. Methods: DPH piloted this project in two phases through contracted community-based Counseling, Testing, and Referral sites. Evaluation of Phase I led to critical revisions in Phase II including offering services earlier in care and emphasizing eight customized components: client engagement, options overview, informed consent, elicitation, service planning, partner notification, referrals, and follow-up. Client options expanded to include self-, assisted-, and provider/Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS)- notification. In Phase II, PS were offered to the HIV+ clients of six testing sites representing 42% of all positive tests in Massachusetts in 2006. Results: During Phase I, 13% of 55 HIV+ clients accepted PS. They identified 17 partners of which 53% were notified of their possible exposure. During Phase II, 44% of 41 HIV+ clients accepted PS. They identified 33 partners of which 67% were notified of their possible exposure. Fifty-four percent of partner notifications were completed by provider/DIS. Conclusions: A client-centered PS approach offered through community based agencies is successful in increasing client acceptance and assisting newly identified HIV+ clients and their partners into care. Engaging clients early in their care and incorporating multiple notification options provides access to at-risk social and sexual networks and enhances comprehensive prevention and care services.