Ethical approach in sharing HIV test results with patients: Evaluation of patient impressions with demographic data

In the years when HIV/AIDS was first defined, the prevalence of the disease in homosexual men led to the emergence of prejudices and development of immunodeficiency and lethal infections caused fear and panic in society. Unethical approaches cause difficulties for patients in obtaining healthcare services. This situation, which is reflected from diagnosis to treatment stage, constitutes the main problem in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Our study was planned to investigate the diagnostic importance of ethical approach to HIV-positive patients, in light of demographic data. In line with this purpose, the demographic information of patients was determined and the stigmatizations encountered during implementation of HIV tests were evaluated with a questionnaire form. Our study was conducted with 121 participants. Before anti-HIV test, consent was obtained from 62.8% of patients, while consent was not obtained from 37.2%, and 31.4% of patients were not informed during the informed consent. While announcing the result, 25.6% of the participants stated that the approach was not polite, result was said suddenly, and not enough information was given. At the time of announcement, 24% of participants stated that there was a third person in the room while 25.6% of them stated that they had been exposed to breach of patient confidentiality so far. Negative attitudes towards HIV in society may drive emotions such as anxiety, guilt, and fear in patients and create obstacles to the diagnosis and treatment; may cause individuals to limit their lives, isolate themselves from society, reluctance to benefit from health services, withdraw from education, or have difficulty sustaining their lives. Stigmatization can be reduced by changing attitudes towards HIV-positive individuals by providing effective and periodic trainings to all segments of society.