Consquences of HIV Sero-STATUS Disclosure AMONG SEXUAL Partners

CONSEQUENCES OF HIV SERO-STATUS DISCLOSURE AMONG SEXUAL PARTNERS.

 

 Naluwooza Esther

ABSTRACT

 

Disclosing HIV result to one’s sexual partner allows the partner to engage in preventive behaviors as well as accessing the necessary support for coping with the sero-status or illness. It may motivate partners to seek testing or change behavior and ultimately decrease transmission of HIV. The present study was under taken to determine the rates, social outcomes and factors associated with HIV disclosure to partners among people living with HIV/AIDS attending Uganda cases in Masaka.

Across sectional study was carried out in Masaka as the case study. Data was collected using pre-tested interview guides for clients and self administered structured questioners of health workers.

Disclosure to sexual partners was associated with male sex, increasing age, a higher level of education, better occupation, increased length of time in marriage, staying together with the sexual partner on a daily basis, being with a single sexual partner, and increasing length of time from diagnosis.

Among those who didn’t disclose giving reasons for disclosure like fear of separation, partner becoming angry with the other, fear of being discriminated, fear of physical abuse, fear of rejection, fear of being labeled a bad person and others like fear for worrying the partner. Among disclosures, few reported negative reactions and majority reported positive outcomes to disclose their HIV test results to their sexual partners.

Conclusion

Although the majority of the participants disclosed their test results, lack of disclosure by the minority can result in limited ability to engage in preventive behaviors and to access support.

Programmatic counseling efforts should therefore focus on mutual disclosure of HIV-test results there by encouraging individuals to ask their partners’ HIV status in addition of disclosing their own.