The Law of Communicable Diseases Act and disclosure to sexual partners among HIV-positive youth

Bibliographic Data

ID12893536
AuthorsMonica Christianson (0000-0002-2974-6434, Umeå University, corresponding author), Ann Lalos (Umeå University), Ella Johansson (0000-0003-2351-5173, Umeå University)
Year2008
Volume3
Issue3
Pages234-242
Publication date2008-12-17
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueVulnerable Children and Youth Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1745-0136 • E-ISSN: 1745-0128
PublisherRoutledge (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17450120802069109
PMID22639678
PMCIDPMC3357969
OpenAlexW2067530661
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited18

In Sweden, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is included among the venereal diseases covered by the Law of Communicable Diseases Act. HIV-positive (HIV(+)) people are required to inform their sexual partners about their infection and adopt safe sex behaviours. However, it is unclear how the law is perceived. This study explores how HIV(+) youth in Sweden perceive the law, handle their sexuality and disclose their HIV diagnosis to sexual partners. Ten HIV(+) women and men between 17 and 24 years of age were recruited from three different HIV infection clinics. These participants were interviewed in depth. The interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed according to a grounded theory approach. The core category-cultured to take responsibility-illuminates the informants' double-edged experiences regarding the law and how they handle disclosure to sexual partners. The legislation implies both support and burden for these HIV(+) youth; they feel that they have a great deal of responsibility, sometimes more than they can handle. 'Switch off lust', 'balancing lust, fear and obedience' and 'switch off the disease' are strategies that describe how the informants manage sexuality and disclosure. Young HIV(+) people have a difficult time informing partners of their HIV diagnosis and discussing safe sex strategies. These are challenges that health care providers need to take seriously. HIV(+) youth need better communication strategies to negotiate safer sex. Staff with extended education on sexuality should be a part of HIV health care

Confidentiality · Environmental health · Family medicine · Human sexuality · Legislation · Lust · Political science · Population · Reproductive health · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Law · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Psychology

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