Introduction
HIV status “disclosure” is defined as the process of revealing HIV-positive status to sexual partner(s), family members, or others in their social circle. As one of the most complex psychosocial challenges that people living with HIV (PLHIV) can face, it affects HIV prevention. Understanding the reasons for disclosure and nondisclosure is needed for effective prevention interventions. In this study, we aimed to investigate the factors associated with status disclosure.
Methodology
This was a cross-sectional study of adults ≥ 21 years enrolled in the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) receiving care and treatment at the Bamenda Regional Hospital from January 2016 to May 2022. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify baseline sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with status disclosure. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.
Results
Of the 5065 patients who were included, 69.9% were females. The mean (SD) age of the participants was 43.8 (11.18) years. The prevalence of HIV status disclosure was 93.7%. Among those who disclosed their status, 30.4% told it to their siblings, 23.0% to their children, 12.4% to their friends and 8.5% to their parents. In multivariable analysis, males were less likely to disclose their status compared to women [aOR 0.5, 95% CI = 0.38-0.7]. Also, being married [aOR = 2, 95%CI = 1.43-2.92] or living with a partner [aOR = 3.1, 95%CI = 1.05-9], being WHO Stage IV [aOR = 2.8, 95%CI=1.5-5.28] and diagnosed with HIV for >11years as compared to those diagnosed for ≤1yr [aOR = 10.4, 95%CI = 5.94-18.35] increased the possibility of disclosing HIV status.
Conclusion
We found a high prevalence of status disclosure among HIV patients and most patients disclosed their status to their siblings. Living with a partner, being married or having an HIV diagnosis of 11 years or more increases patient disclosure status.