Abstract:
Introduction: Disclosure of HIV positive status to sexual partners, friends or relatives is a main
way for prevention and care strategies. Identifying factors associated with disclosure is necessary
to freely disclose of HIV positive status result to their sexual partners, parents and friends to
achieve a goal „zero new infection. Identifying factors associated with disclosure is a research
priority as a high proportion of people living with HIV/AIDS never disclose in Ethiopia. The
objective of this study was to assess the HIV positive status disclosure and associated factors among
HIV positive women attending in Jimma Town Health Facilities, South West Ethiopia, 2015.
Methods: A health facility-based, cross-sectional study was carried out in Jimma Town Health
Facilities from March 2-April 2/2015. Single population proportion formula was used to determine
sample size. A total of 338 mothers were enrolled in the study. The study participants were selected
by systematic sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were
entered using EpiData version 3.1 and analysis was carried out using SPSS version 21. Bivariable
and multivariable logistic regression analysis were applied. The independent variables with p<0.05
in multivariable logistic regression analysis were considered as predictors of HIV positive sero
status disclosure.
Results: The proportion of HIV disclosure status to someone was 86.1%. Sixty five (22.4 %) of the
women faced negative outcome after disclosure. Main barriers of disclosure reported by nondisclosed participants were; fear of stigma and rejection, fear of breach of confidentiality, fear of
being ashamed to family, fear of divorce and fear of accusation of infidelity. Being member of AntiHIV/AIDS association [(AOR = 3.171; 95% CI, 1.183-8.501)], being on ART [(AOR= 4.559; 95%
CI, 1.586-13.103)], being literate [(AOR=3.624; 95% CI, 1.049-12.522)] and being on follow up
counseling [(OR =6.621; 95% CI, 1.719-25.498)] were significantly associated with disclosure of
HIV positive sero status.
Conclusion: Even though, the magnitude of HIV positive sero status disclosure to somebody in
this study is encouraging, negative outcomes following disclosure of sero status were reported by
participants. Being on ART, being literate, being follow up counseling, and being member of AntiHIV/AIDS association were associated with disclosure of HIV positive sero status. Therefore, more
focus should be given to ongoing counseling, HIV/AIDS association, education and ART service
during counseling sessions as well as facilitate safe sero status disclosure through education and
awareness for the community.
