Determinants and outcomes of disclosing HIV-sero positive status to sexual partners among women in Mettu and Gore towns, Illubabor Zone southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Background: Disclosing one's HIV test result to a sexual partner is an important factor in HIV/AIDS prevention interventions. Disclosure of one's HIV status enables for improved access to prevention and treatment programs provides increased opportunities for risk reduction and helps in planning for the future. An assessment of the barriers and outcomes for disclosure is necessary to enhance HIV test result disclosure among couples. Objective: This study is aimed at determining the rate, barriers and out comes of HIV positive status disclosure among sexual partners. Method: A cross sectional study was conducted in Mettu and Gore towns of Illubabor Zone, south west Ethiopia. Sixtyseven women living with HIV out of which 42(62.7%) reported to had sexual partners and were eligible for the study and were interviewed. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: Overall 69% of the women reported that they had shared their HIV test results with their partners. Among the women who did not disclose their HIV status 62.5% said that it was due to fear of partner’s reaction (fear of abandonment, rejection and accusation of infidelity). But 75.9 % of HIV positive women who disclosed their result reported positive partner’s reaction. Most (81.3%) women who had prior discussion about HIV and HIV testing with their partners have disclosed their results (P<0.005). Condom use was also found to be high among couples that disclosed their HIV/status than those who did not do so (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study indicates that the outcomes of disclosure are encouraging. The anticipated partner reactions and the reality discovered by the study were different. Therefore it is important to assure HIV-positive women that the benefits of disclosure out weigh the potential risks. A large-scale study on the subject is also recommended. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2005; 19(2):126-131]