摘要：It has been argued that researchers conducting surveys that include testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have a duty to tell potential subjects that they do not have the right to participate if they refuse to receive their HIV test results.1,2 Furthermore, promotion of the routine feedback of such test results has been based on the grounds that knowledge is power and information is liberation.3 However, other researchers argue that, although it is desirable to offer study participants post-test counselling, for practical and ethical reasons some study participants should be given the right to refuse such counselling.4 Although we support the right of participants to opt out of post-test counselling and thus not to receive their test results, we also propose that subjects who are – or may be – tested for HIV should be given information that may decrease their resistance to learning their test results. We draw on data, collected between 1998 and 2013, on rural Malawians’ experience with – and perceptions of – HIV testing.
