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Background: In 2010, partner services (PS) interviews in a Maryland county yielded a low (0.8) partner index (number of partners identified per interview) and high (52%) proportion of interviews with no contacts elicited. Client discomfort with or distrust of DIS was hypothesized as a barrier to participation in PS.
Objectives: Assess the effectiveness of DIS in assuring confidentiality and establishing a non-judgmental, respectful, and caring environment for the PS interview.
Methods: In June 2011 supervisors observed a convenience sample, based on supervisor availability, of STI clinic-based PS interviews. Clients involved in the observed PS interviews were also surveyed by the program manager.
Results: Forty persons received clinic-based PS interviews, and 22 (55%) interviews were observed by a supervisor. All 22 clients were surveyed by the manager post-interview. From the 22 surveys, 95% responded that DIS explained confidentiality “very well;” 81% were “not at all” concerned about others finding out about information disclosed during the PS interview; and 82% thought DIS explained the seriousness of the infection “very well.” DIS were rated as “very much” accepting and respectful of the client in 86% and 100% of interviews, respectively. Additionally, 95% of clients believed DIS cared about their health “very much.” All 22 clients believed health departments should routinely offer everyone diagnosed with HIV help in notifying their partners. Although supervisors scored DIS lower than clients’ ratings in each area, the only significant difference was in conveying respect for the client, where supervisors indicated DIS accomplished this “very well” in 75% of the interviews (p=0.0182).
Conclusions: Clients perceive PS interviews as confidential and DIS as non-judgmental, respectful, and caring, indicating traditional DIS interviewing skills are adequate.
Implications for Programs, Policy, and Research: STD/HIV program staff may need new interviewing skills to better tailor behavioral counseling messages to address client-related factors which prevent their full participation in PS.