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Answer to Case Study #3:Based on the information above, it is impossible to know who is at greater risk for infection with HIV. People often make assumptions about other people by their “profile” rather than their behavior. For example, people might assume that Antoine is at greater risk because he is homosexual and has multiple partners and that Celeste is at lower risk because she is married and monogamous. With HIV risk, however, it is not “who you are” that places you at risk, but “what you do. ” In this instance, it is possible that Antoine may have used condoms consistently and correctly with all his partners, thereby decreasing his risk. Celeste, on the other hand, may be at risk for infection because of her husband’s behavior. We know that Celeste and David do not use condoms (they use the pill for family planning), but we do not know if David has other partners. If David has other partners and does not use condoms, Celeste may be at greater risk than Antoine (if he uses condoms consistently and correctly). Of course, if Antoine does not use condoms and David does not have any other partners (or uses condoms consistently and correctly if he does), then Antoine would be at greater risk than Celeste. The only way to learn about clients’ risk for infection is to engage them in a dialogue that explores their circumstances, sexual life, risky behaviors, and partner(s)’ risky behaviors.
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