Disclosure of Hiv status to sexual partners among people who ...

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
This chapter reviewed related literature of previous research on self-disclosure and
disclosure to sexual partners. It contains sections on; definition and contextualisation of
disclosure, benefits of HIV status disclosure, content of disclosure, process of disclosure,
facilitators of disclosure and barriers to disclosure
2.1 Definition and conceptualization of disclosure
Self-disclosure is defined as the willingness to reveal information about oneself to
another person as the “target person” (Hinson, & Swanson, 1993). Self disclosure is also
the act of informing another person or persons of the HIV positive status of an individual
(Hoe, McKeown, Stoltz & Trow, 2003). It occurs in a context whereby HIV testing and
counseling remains confidential and infected individuals are given the responsibility of
disclosing the test results to their sexual and needle sharing partners (Perry, 1998). Thus
disclosure of HIV positive sero status means that an HIV positive person reveals his or
her status to another person, usually of significance to him/her such as a sexual partner,
relative and friend (Maman, Mbwambo, Hogan, Weiss, Kilonzo & Sweat, 2003).
Learning that one is HIV infected creates an internal struggle about whether or not to
disclose one’s HIV positive sero-status (Marks, Richardson, Ruiz & Maldonado, 1992).
Health workers and counselors encourage their clients to disclose their HIV test results to
their sexual partners on their own accord (Masiye, & Ssekubugu, 2008). The decision to
disclose one’s status is a difficult one. Kimberly, Serovich and Greene (1995) found that
people with HIV are left open to stigma and discrimination and are put at risk of loss of
employment and other social support benefits if they disclose. Disclosure of serostatus is
one of the major aspects focused on in TASO’s counselling to enhance drug adherence
and promote HIV prevention among sexual partners, this study aims at exploring
disclosure to sexual partners among clients on ART in TASO Mulago.
11