HIV Disclosure: HIV-positive status disclosure to sexual partners among individuals receiving HIV care in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

• Published in: PloS one 2019-02, Vol.14 (2), p.e0211967-e0211967
• Main Authors: Dessalegn, Noah G, Hailemichael, Rahel G, Shewa-Amare, Aster, Sawleshwarkar, Shailendra, Lodebo, Bereket, Amberbir, Alemayehu, Hillman, Richard J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abuse; Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Adult; Aged; Aggression; AIDS; Ambulatory care facilities; Analysis; Antiretroviral agents; Antiretroviral therapy; Behavior; Biology and Life Sciences; Care and treatment; Condoms; Counseling; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diagnosis; Disclosure of information; Discrimination; Disease prevention; Ethiopia; Female; Females; Financial disclosure; Gender differences; Health aspects; Health psychology; Highly active antiretroviral therapy; HIV; HIV infections; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - psychology; HIV patients; HIV Seropositivity - drug therapy; HIV Seropositivity - psychology; Hospitals; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Infections; Logistic Models; Male; Males; Maternal & child health; Medical diagnosis; Medicine and Health Sciences; Middle Aged; Multiple regression analysis; Patient outcomes; People and Places; Prevention; Public health; Regression analysis; Safe Sex; Self Disclosure; Sexual Behavior - psychology; Sexual partners; Sexual Partners - psychology; Sexually transmitted diseases; Social aspects; Social interactions; Social Sciences; Social Stigma; Social Support; STD; Violence; Womens health; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211967

Disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners can help HIV prevention efforts and enable HIV positive people to receive social support, as well as increasing access and adherence to treatment. This study was conducted to determine the rate, processes, outcomes, and correlates of HIV status disclosure to sexual partners among HIV positive individuals. A cross-sectional study was conducted between September and November 2015 at two HIV outpatient clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data were collected using an interviewer- administered semi-structured questionnaire. Logistic analysis was used to determine the independent correlates of serostatus disclosure. Of 742 participants, (371 men and 371 women), 727 (98%) were on antiretroviral therapy and 676 (91.1%) had at least one sexual partner since their HIV diagnosis, of whom 558 (82.5%) had disclosed their HIV status to their most recent sexual partner. Of those who reported having disclosed their status to their most recent sexual partner, 82 (14.7%) had at least one unprotected sexual encounter with the partner, after HIV diagnosis but prior to disclosure. The most commonly reported initial outcome of disclosure was gaining emotional and/or financial support. Some (11.3%) also reported that their disclosure immediately initiated their partner for HIV testing. Negative outcomes to disclosure, such as stigma and discrimination, were more common among females (26.2%) compared to males (12.7%). In the multiple regression analysis, disclosure was associated with greater condom use, greater social support, knowing the partner's HIV status, having a good relationship with the partner, and cohabiting with the partner. HIV disclosure was common amongst participants, although sometimes delayed, with possible consequences for onward transmission. Fear of negative outcomes, such as verbal abuse and physical violence, were major barriers to disclosure. Efforts to support disclosure have the potential to contribute to HIV control and prevention by encouraging safer sexual practice, initiating partners for HIV testing, and enhancing support for people living with HIV.