“One size fits all, depending on the situation”: HIV counseling on disclosure to sexual partners

ABSTRACT

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that HIV care providers apply cultural competency when counseling clients about partner notification. In this study, we analyzed transcription data from HIV providers in Alabama (N = 27) and North Carolina (N = 20) using a constant-comparative method to determine whether providers tailored their messages to the demographics of their clientele. Most HIV providers (76.5%) stated that client demographics did not affect their counseling style, but instead emphasized “individual circumstances” or “one-size-fits-all” approaches to advising clients about partner notification. These results suggest that HIV providers do not approach disclosure counseling with cultural awareness.

KEYWORDS:

• counseling
• cultural competence
• HIV care
• minority participants
• service providers