HIV Disclosure Patterns Research Articles

Patterns of HIV Disclosure and its Impact on the HIV Care Continuum Among Black Men who Have Sex With Men in South Carolina.

Addressing the psychosocial concerns of Black men who have sex with men (MSM), such as HIV disclosure, is critical for effective HIV treatment efforts. Black MSM living with HIV experience multiple psychosocial challenges, such as "triple stigma" due to their sexual orientation, racial minority status, and HIV status, which hinder their HIV disclosure and subsequent HIV care-seeking behavior. Our study sought to examine the HIV disclosure patterns and their impact on the HIV care continuum among Black MSM using a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were carried out among 28 Black MSM aged ≥18 years old living in South Carolina. A thematic analysis process was employed for data analysis. The emerging themes of facilitators of HIV disclosure included the sense of personal responsibility to disclose one's HIV status within the context of a relationship and having other family members living with HIV, while the barriers included fear of family rejection or religious reasons. A few participants preferred to disclose to friends due to the less shame in sharing their status to friends than other confidants (e.g., family members). HIV disclosure was found to be a facilitator for linkage to care and retention in care through social support obtained from disclosure confidants. Helping patients to identify a single person (e.g., family member) to share their HIV status may offer equivalent benefits to wider disclosure. Interventions occurring at multiple levels (e.g., targeting religious groups) and within multiple contexts are needed to promote HIV disclosure and improve clinical outcomes in the Black MSM community.

HIV status disclosure among adults attending care and treatment clinic in Kilombero district, South-Eastern Tanzania

BackgroundDisclosing HIV serostatus is important for HIV prevention and in reducing HIV transmission among communities. The present study assessed HIV disclosure patterns and its associated factors among adults in Kilombero district, Tanzania. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among people living with HIV who visited Care and Treatment Clinic in Ifakara Town Council from September 2018-February 2019. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, and the analysis was done by SPSS Version 20. ResultsA total of 102 participated into this study, 63 (61.8%) females and 39 (38.2%) males. The mean age (±SD) of participants was 34.37 (±10.9) years and people living with HIV were mostly (68%) in age group between 18 and 38. Despite the high rate of HIV disclosure 81 (79.4%) only 58% had disclosed their HIV results to their partners. In addition, most partcipants delayed the disclosure for six months and above. HIV disclosure was significantly higher in married participants than in single individuals (81.8% vs 68.5%; p < 0.001), and in participants aged 39–59 years (p = 0.06). The major reasons for non-disclosure include fear of losing their partners, felt ashamed of being HIV positive and fears of stigma. ConclusionAlthough the disclosure of HIV serostatus among the participants was high, the disclosure to their sex partners was moderate. Moreover, the study observed negative attitudes and delayed disclosure longer than six months. Interventions to promote disclosure of HIV and discouraging stigma and discriminations should be given priority.

Factors Associated with HIV Disclosure Status Among iENGAGE Cohort of New to HIV Care Patients.

HIV disclosure is an important behavior with implications for HIV treatment and prevention but understudied among new to HIV care patients who face unique challenges adjusting to a new diagnosis. This study evaluated the factors associated with HIV disclosure status and patterns of HIV disclosure among new to HIV care patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted evaluating the iENGAGE (integrating ENGagement and Adherence Goals upon Entry) cohort. Participants were enrolled in this randomized behavioral trial between December 2013 and June 2016. The primary and secondary outcomes included HIV disclosure status (Yes/No) and patterns of disclosure (Broad, Selective and Nondisclosure), respectively. Logistic and Multinomial Logistic Regression were used to evaluate the association of participant factors with HIV disclosure and patterns of HIV disclosure, respectively. Of 371 participants, the average age was 37 ± 12 years, 79.3% were males, and 62.3% were African Americans. A majority of participants (78.4%) disclosed their HIV status at baseline, 63.1% were broad disclosers and 15.2% were selective disclosers. In multivariable regression, black race, emotional support, and unmet needs predicted any HIV and broad disclosure, whereas males, emotional support, active coping, and acceptance were associated with selective disclosure. Interventions to promote early disclosure should focus on coping strategies and unmet needs, particularly among black and male people living with HIV initiating care.

HIV Disclosure Patterns and Psychosocial Correlates Among People Living with HIV in Nanjing, China: A Latent Class Analysis.

Little is known about the patterns of HIV disclosure and the predictors of such group memberships. Therefore, our study aimed to explore the relationship between HIV disclosure patterns and psychosocial factors. From July to August 2016, totally 466 people living with HIV (PLWH) were recruited from a tertiary hospital. Latent class analysis was performed to ascertain HIV disclosure patterns, and multinomial logistic regression was used to examine predictors of HIV disclosure patterns. Four classes were identified and characterized as the systematic disclosure (11.2%), systematic concealment (39.5%), disclosure to spouse (29.0%), and disclosure to parents (20.4%). Relative to the systematic concealment class, respondents of the systematic disclosure and disclosure to spouse classes were more likely to report a high level of social support (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.112, 95% CI = 1.039-1.189; aOR = 1.144, 95% CI = 1.084-1.208). PLWH in the disclosure to spouse class tended to have increased perceived stigma (aOR = 1.040, 95% CI = 1.008-1.073). These findings provide practical implications for effective intervention targeting the different subgroups. Urgent attention should be paid to perceived stigma and social support to encourage PLWH to disclose their HIV status.

Impact of inter-partner HIV disclosure patterns in Malawi's PMTCT program: A mixed-method study.

BackgroundEvidence suggests that disclosure of HIV status between partners may influence prevention of maternal-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) outcomes. We report partner disclosure in relation to maternal antiretroviral therapy (ART) uptake and adherence, and MTCT among postpartum HIV-infected Malawian women.MethodsA cross-sectional mixed-method study was conducted as part of a nationally representative longitudinal cohort study. Between 2014–2016, all (34,637) mothers attending 54 under-5 clinics with their 4–26 week-old infants were approached, of which 98% (33,980) were screened for HIV; infants received HIV-1 DNA testing. HIV-exposure was confirmed in 3,566/33,980 (10.5%). Baseline data from mothers who were known to be HIV-infected at time of screening were included in the current analysis. Guardians (n = 17), newly diagnosed HIV-infected mothers (n = 256) and mothers or infants with undetermined HIV status (n = 30) were excluded. Data collected included socio-demographics, partner disclosure, maternal ART uptake, and adherence. Between 2016–2017, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with adult mothers (n = 53) and their spouse/cohabiting partners (n = 19), adolescent mothers (n = 13), lost-to-follow up (LTFU) mothers (n = 22), community leaders (n = 23) and healthcare workers (n = 154).ResultsOf 3153 known HIV-infected mothers, 2882 (91.4%) reported having a spouse/cohabiting partner. Among 2882 couples, both partners, one partner, and neither partner disclosed to each other in 2090 (72.5%), 622 (21.6%), and 169 (5.9%), respectively. In multivariable models, neither partner disclosing was associated with no maternal ART (aOR 4.7; 95%CI 2.5–8.8), suboptimal treatment adherence (aOR 1.8; 95%CI 1.1–2.8) and MTCT (aOR 2.1; 95%CI 1.1–4.1). Women’s fear of blame by partners was central to decisions not to disclose within couples and when starting new relationships. LTFU mothers struggled to accept and disclose their status, hindering treatment initiation; some were unable to hide ART and feared involuntary disclosure.ConclusionPartner disclosure seems to play an important role in women’s decisions regarding ART initiation and adherence. Inter-partner non-disclosure was associated with no ART uptake, suboptimal treatment adherence and MTCT.

Characterizing the Patterns of HIV Disclosure to Clients Among South African Female Sex Workers in Port Elizabeth.

Female sex workers (FSW) in South Africa are disproportionately affected by HIV, yet little is known about their HIV-status disclosure with clients. Among 410 FSW participating in a cross-sectional study, 213 were HIV positive and aware of their status prior to enrollment. Among FSW aware of their HIV-status, 35% (74/213) reported disclosing their HIV-status to paying clients, whereas 75% (118/158) of those with regular, non-paying partners disclosed to them. In a multivariable analysis, disclosure to clients was associated with more years of education, disclosure to non-paying partners, and meeting clients at established sex work venues, whereas a history of sexual violence was associated with less disclosure. There was also evidence of mutual disclosure with clients, however disclosure was not associated with condom use with clients or being on antiretrovirals. Safer working environments may improve FSW HIV disclosure practices, however disclosure must also be linked with protective behaviors in this population.

Living with HIV, disclosure patterns and partnerships a decade after the introduction of HIV programmes in rural South Africa

Prevention of mother-to-child Transmission and HIV Treatment programmes were scaled-up in resource-constrained settings over a decade ago, but there is still much to be understood about women's experiences of living with HIV and their HIV disclosure patterns. This qualitative study explored women's experiences of living with HIV, 6–10 years after being diagnosed during pregnancy. The area has high HIV prevalence, and an established HIV treatment programme. Participants were enrolled in a larger intervention, “Amagugu”, that supported women (n = 281) to disclose their HIV status to their children. Post-intervention we conducted individual in-depth interviews with 20 randomly selected women, stratified by clinic catchment area, from the total sample. Interviews were entered into ATLAS.ti computer software for coding. Most women were living with their current sexual partner and half were still in a relationship with the child's biological father. Household exposure to HIV was high with the majority of women knowing at least one other HIV-infected adult in their household. Eighteen women had disclosed their HIV status to another person; nine had disclosed to their current partner first. Two main themes were identified in the analyses: living with HIV and the normalisation of HIV treatment at a family level; and the complexity of love relationships, in particular in long-term partnerships. A decade on, most women were living positively with HIV, accessing care, and reported experiencing little stigma. However, as HIV became normalised new challenges arose including concerns about access to quality care, and the need for family-centred care. Women's sexual choices and relationships were intertwined with feelings of love, loyalty and trust and the important supportive role played by partners and families was acknowledged, however, some aspects of living with HIV presented challenges including continuing to practise safe sex several years after HIV diagnosis.

Predictors of HIV Disclosure in Infected Persons Presenting to Establish Care.

Persons receiving effective HIV treatment experience longevity and improvement in quality of life. For those infected, social support is associated with improved medication adherence. Disclosure of infection status is likely a prerequisite for social support. However, little research describes patterns of HIV disclosure by infected persons. We retrospectively evaluated factors associated with disclosure among patients initiating HIV care at a university-based clinic from 2007 to 2012. Of 490 persons initiating care, 13 % had not disclosed their HIV infection to anyone. Black race significantly predicted non-disclosure and persons living with a significant other or friends were more likely to have disclosed their HIV infection versus those living alone. CD4 + T lymphocyte count <200 was associated with nondisclosure and disclosure only to family members. Future research is needed to better understand factors associated with disclosure of HIV infection status, because this could enhance receipt of social support and contribute to improved HIV health outcomes.

Patterns of HIV Disclosure and Condom Use Among HIV-Infected Young Racial/Ethnic Minority Men Who Have Sex with Men

Recent findings highlight the continued rise in cases of HIV infection among racial/ethnic minority young men who have sex with men (YMSM). In adults, disclosure of HIV status has been associated with decreased sexual risk behaviors but this has not been explored among YMSM. In this study of 362 HIV-infected racial/ethnic minority YMSM, rates of disclosure were high, with almost all disclosing their status to at least one person at baseline. The majority had disclosed to a family member, with higher disclosure rates to female relatives compared with males. After adjustment for site, disclosure to sex partners and boyfriends was associated with an increase in condom use during both oral and anal sex. Future studies should consider skills training to assist youth in the disclosure process, facilitate how to determine who in their family and friend social network can be safely disclosed to and support family-based interventions.

HIV disclosure patterns, predictors, and psychosocial correlates among HIV positive women in Zimbabwe

Disclosure of positive HIV status in Sub-Saharan Africa has been associated with safer sexual practices and better antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, but associations with psychosocial function are unclear. We examined patterns and psychosocial correlates of disclosure in a Zimbabwean community. Two hundred HIV positive women at different stages of initiating ART participated in a cross-sectional study examining actual disclosures, disclosure beliefs, perceived stigma, self-esteem, depression, and quality of life. Ninety-seven percent of the women disclosed to at least one person, 78% disclosed to their current husband/partner, with an average disclosure of four persons per woman. The majority (85–98%) of disclosures occurred in a positive manner and 72–95% of the individuals reacted positively. Factors significantly correlated with HIV disclosure to partners included being married, later age at menses, longer duration of HIV since diagnosis, being on ART, being more symptomatic at baseline, ever having used condoms, and greater number of partners in the last year. In multivariate analysis, being married and age at menses predicted disclosure to partners. Positive disclosure beliefs, but not the total number of disclosures, significantly correlated with lower perceived stigma (ρ = 0.44 for personalized subscale and ρ = 0.51 for public subscale, both p<0.0001), higher self-esteem (ρ = 0.15, p=0.04), and fewer depressive symptoms (ρ = –0.14, p=0.05). In conclusion, disclosure of positive HIV status among Zimbabwean women is common and is frequently met with positive reactions. Moreover, positive disclosure beliefs correlate significantly with psychosocial measures, including lower perceived stigma, higher self-esteem, and lower depression.

Percentages, Process, and Patterns of HIV Disclosure Among the Spouses of HIV-Infected Men in South India

Most studies have described the outcome of HIV status disclosure rather than the process of disclosure. Hence, a study was conducted among 201 women who accompanied their spouses and children to 3 hospitals at Chennai and Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India, during January to June 2007. Majority of the respondents were sero-positive (69%) and marriage was the only risk factor for them. Of 201 women, 49% did not know the reason for their husbands' HIV infection. Confidentiality of the patient was often breached during disclosure as family members were drawn into the process without consulting the patient. Only for 117 (50%) respondents, HIV diagnosis was disclosed directly by the health providers. There was a considerable delay for men in disclosing their HIV status to their spouses. Apart from the spouses, 122 (61%) shared their diagnosis with other family members. Disgrace to self and family (54%), fear of discrimination (27%), and fear of rejection (9%) were reported for nondisclosure.

Effect of antiretroviral treatment and counselling on disclosure of HIV-serostatus in Johannesburg, South Africa

This prospective non-randomized study of clinic attendees, compares self-reported HIV disclosure patterns in relation to access to antiretroviral access and counselling. It was carried out in public sector hospital HIV clinics in Johannesburg, South Africa, and 144 HIV-positive men and women attending the HIV clinics participated in the study. The results showed that there was no correlation between being on antiretroviral therapy and disclosure of HIV status. There was also no correlation between disclosure of HIV status and with different levels of counselling and access to support groups. Disclosure levels were high (92% told at least one person), however, there was a high level of delayed (15% greater than a year) or non-disclosure (21%) to partners. Family members and partners provided most moral support after disclosure. Having access to antiretroviral therapy and support groups and available counselling did not seem to affect disclosure patterns. It is possible that a patients beliefs about their treatment plays a more important role for disclosure than the actual treatment itself. Other factors are also likely important for disclosure, such as the patient's social network especially with their families, and knowledge of the disease.

Management of HIV-related stigma and adherence to HAART: Evidence from a large representative sample of outpatients attending French hospitals (ANRS-EN12-VESPA 2003)

This study investigated patterns of HIV disclosure to significant others (parents, siblings, children, other relatives, friends and colleagues) and describe them in terms of socio-demographic background and other characteristics, including experiences of AIDS-related discrimination. It also assessed the relationship between disclosure patterns and adherence to HAART. We used a cross-sectional survey conducted among a national representative sample of 2,932 HIV-infected people recruited in French hospitals. HIV disclosure patterns were both selective and cumulative: disclosure was more frequent for friends and siblings, while concealment prevailed concerning children, other relatives, and colleagues; but patients who disclosed their seropositivity to one significant other were also more likely to disclose it to other significant others. Patients reporting experiences of discrimination from sexual partners were less likely to be highly adherent, and we also found a significant relationship between uncontrolled disclosure and non-adherence. Patients who have opted for concealment probably consider non-adherence and uncontrolled disclosure as competing risks, but among them a significant minority loses on both counts. Counselling provided to HIV-infected people should not separate the adherence and disclosure issues, and adherence interventions should seek to help patients to manage concurrently disclosure/concealment of their seropositivity and its consequences.