Confidentiality, partner notification and ethical issues: A qualitative research on people living with HIV in Istanbul

AIDS is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with HIV.1 The virus induces the weakening of human immunity, and, if untreated, eventually results in the clinical manifestation of AIDS leading to the fatal breakdown of total immune system and death.2,3 Although the complete cure of the disease has not been discovered yet, antiretroviral treatment is highly indicated, worldwide, for the improvement of the quality of life.4 HIV spreads primarily by unprotected sexual intercourse (including anal and oral sex), infected blood transfusions, hypodermic needles, and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.5 HIV/AIDS represents a major social and ethical issue because of the ways of its transmission and the social mindset.6,7 It is observed that people with HIV/AIDS can sometimes encounter serious problems and violations in access to healthcare due to the improper conduct of health professionals.8,9 This fact affects the physical and psychological integrity of people living with HIV.10 Turkey is considered one of the countries with low HIV prevalence, but the number of people infected is increasing year by year and the current number has risen up to 15,000. Thus, HIV/AIDS ought to be accepted as a public health problem and there is an urgent need for combating effectively against its spread.11 This research has been planned as a qualitative field study.12 The snowball sampling technique was chosen, as it is used when there is insufficient information to create a sample and when it is difficult to reach people to create the research universe.13,14 After obtaining informed consent of the volunteers, the interviews were recorded on voice tape. The voice recordings were transcribed, and the contents of the participants’ opinions were systematically analyzed.15 Data indicate that there is a need to