Int Conf AIDS 1993 Jun 6-11; 9:123 (abstract no. WS-D20-5) de Burger R; AIDS Education and Awareness Program, Canadian Public Health Association, Ottawa.
In many jurisdictions the HIV/AIDS pandemic has created considerable tensions between public health professionals and community activists. The many complex medical, social, legal and personal issues that confront public health professionals forced them to re-evaluate current policies and practices. The Canadian Public Health Association's AIDS Education and Awareness Program conducted a national consultation in 1991-92 to address HIV/AIDS issues in public health. The outcome of the process is published in a report, HIV/AIDS: A Public Health Perspective/VIH/sida; La perspective de la sante publique which indicates that while there are still substantive differences of approach on issues such as partner notification and how to handle persons who deliberately place others at risk, there is significant consensus among public health professionals and community AIDS groups representatives regarding public health policy and practice in Canada. The consultation was initiated with a national forum, followed by 4 regional workshops and a national workshop to review the outcome of the deliberations. Participants had an opportunity to see and comment on all workshop reports, draft final reports and key informants across the country had several opportunities to provide a direct feedback. The interactive consensus-building process is presented as a model for developing consensus positions which in turn can set recommendations to affect policies and practices.
Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Public Health, HIV Infections, Canada, Health Personnel, Public Policy, Delivery of Health Care, Health Planning Guidelines, North America, nursing, organization & administration, ICA9 930606
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