Disclosure Pattern among People Living with HIV-AIDS Receiving Care at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background Disclosure of HIV status has been described as a preventive strategy in the transmission of HIV among sexual partners as well as a necessary step for PLWHA to receive necessary support from family members and the community. The study was undertaken to determine the pattern and rates of disclosure among PLWHA in Ilorin, Nigeria. Methods The study was a cross-sectional study of PLWHAs receiving care at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) Ilorin Nigeria from 1st to 30th September, 2008. Data were collected using a pre-tested interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Results A total of 300 respondents (194 women and 106 men) participated in the study of which 91.7% were taking ART. Majority (88.3%) disclosed their result to at least one person; 78.5% disclosed theirs on the same day of the test; while 51.3% did not know their partner's HIV status. Fear of stigma and discrimination were the main reasons for nondisclosure. Among those disclosures 7.3% reported no negative reactions. Most (80.3%) reported that their partners reacted positively to disclosure of their HIV status. Conclusion Disclosure of HIV sero-status was high in the study population. Majority disclosed to family members. The post-test counseling period should be used to offer more support to reduce the shock experienced during this period. In addition there is need to target health education to the family members and the communities to strengthen support to PLWHA to enable them cope with the disease and its lifelong treatment. Key words: Disclosure, HIV, PLWHA