HIV-positive status disclosure among men and women receiving antiretroviral treatment in eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Disclosure of HIV infection status is a difficult process that involves communication of information about a potentially stigmatizing and transmissible illness. Despite this it is important for preventing HIV infection and mitigating its impacts. This study aims to describe disclosure of HIV diagnosis and factors associated with it among a cohort of patients receiving antiretroviral treatment in eastern Ethiopia. A descriptive study was conducted among a random sample of patients that started antiretroviral treatment in three hospitals located in eastern Ethiopia. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to examine association and derive odds ratios (OR) as well as 95% confidence intervals. A total of 1540 study participants were included in the study, where 963 (62.5%) were females and 574 (37.3%) males. Most of the married participants have disclosed to their wife or husband (402, 66.3%), but the overall sample had much lower rates of disclosure to brothers or sisters (262, 17.0%), and relatives (259, 16.8%). A small number of patients (11.6%, 179) did not disclose their infection status at all and none of the patients (0, 0%) had disclosed to all of their family members. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis patients who were not married (OR 1.54; 95% CI1.01 2.35) and illiterate (OR 1.81; 95% CI1.03 3.20) had higher odds of nondisclosure. The findings of the study revealed a lower level of HIV disclosure status compared to similar settings. Therefore, more focus should be given to unmarried and illiterate persons during counseling sessions.