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

esults more often than females (Skogmar, Shakely, Ians, danell, Anderson, Tshandu,
Roberts & Franciois, 2006). However, another South African study (Olley,Seedat &
Stein, 2004) revealed that male sex is associated with non- disclosure of HIV status.
The above findings show that facilitators to disclosure are affected by the clients’
understanding of the disease especially with regard to the risks involved personally as
well as for the partners. Furthermore, the idea of trust and security in the relationship
seemingly has a positive impact in facilitating disclosure. Ultimately , the knowledge that
a positive serostatus is not the end of life ; the need to protect one’s partner from
infection as well as consideration of other personal benefits of disclosure facilitate
disclosure.
2.6 Barriers to disclosure
While it may be necessary for PLHIV to disclose their HIV status because of the benefits
mentioned above and to obtain needed resources and support, negative consequences may
be associated with such disclosure (Kimberly et al., 1995). PLHIV’s decisions related to
HIV serostatus disclosure therefore are likely to be influenced by their assessment of
positive or negative consequences of disclosure (Kimberly et al., 1995; Serovich et al.,
1998). Research conducted focusing on disclosure to past or current sexual partners,
demonstrates that between ¼ and ½ of those with HIV have not told their sex partners
(Stein, 1998; Kalichman & Nachimson, 1999). Furthermore, Petrak, Doyle, Smith,
Skinner and Hedge (2001) established that persons infected with HIV may not be able to
disclose their HIV serostatus due to a number of reasons like stigma, causing distress to
others, discrimination and concerns about confidentiality. Studies show the barriers HIV
positive people face that are related to HIV disclosure which include; stigma and
discrimination, fear of abandonment, fear of violence, fear of upsetting family members
and fear of accusations of infidelity (Kalichman & Nachmson,1999; Koenig & Moore,
2000; WHO, 2004).
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