AIDS, a social dilemma: Detection of seropositives

✍ Scribed by P. Enel; C. Manuel; J. Charrel; M. P. Larher; D. Reviron; J. L. San Marco

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1991
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 836 KB
• Volume: 7
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0393-2990
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00237357

✦ Synopsis

At present, we can observe an evolution in ideas about the detection of HIV seropositivity through a qualitative analysis of specialised literature on the ethical aspects of AIDS. In the case of this disease, systematic screening of the population does not correspond to epidemiological criteria: it is wasteful, troublesome and costly. Whether it is voluntary, and therefore biased, or compulsory, and therefore controversial, systematic screening seems an unlikely option. This situation has prompted many versions of target-group screening, which correspond to two options: systematic screening of known risk-groups, discriminatory, confidential and anonymous; target-group screening linked to particular circumstances: recognised as necessary by blood-donors and well-accepted by pregnant mothers. This method can be institutionalised and applied in the armed forces and in prisons,.... Lastly, we consider measures taken by different countries and organisations.