title: HIV surveillance in theory and practice: assessing the acceptability of California's non-name HIV surveillance regulations.
abstract: In 2002, California adopted a non-name system for HIV case reporting. This study focused on the acceptability of a non-name reporting system among key stakeholders implementing the system. We conducted qualitative research during the pre- and post-implementation period of the non-name HIV reporting regulations. During both study periods we conducted key informant in-depth interviews (n = 48 and 52, respectively) with health department surveillance staff, laboratory personnel, health care providers and clinic staff; and we conducted four focus group discussions (n = 28 and 30, respectively) with representatives of community-planning group members and advocacy groups. We found that overall, California's non-name HIV reporting regulations were acceptable to most key stakeholders. Acceptability of a non-name system was highest among advocates and healthcare providers. Views of health department staff varied across the four counties, with some expressing a strong preference of a names based system and others accepting the non-name system.
authors.affiliation: Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA. kkoester@psg.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Koester
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maiorana
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vernon
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Charlebois
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gaffney
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Stephen F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Morin
mesh_terms: D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003219:Confidentiality; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*