HIV status disclosure to sexual partner and associated factors among ART users attending ART clinics in Harar Town, Harari Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: There are 33.4 million people were living with HIV/AIDS worldwide at the beginning of 2009. In Ethiopia, about 1,216,908 people are living with HIV. ART has the capacity to transform HIV infection from an incurable ―death sentence‖ into a treatable ―chronic illness‖, stimulating people’s willingness to be tested and disclose their sero-status. Disclosure of HIV positive status has two sets of contrary effects. It may motivate sexual partner for Voluntary Counseling and Testing, reduce risk behaviors, and increase receiving support and adherence to ART. On the other hand, disclosure may cause blame, discrimination, abandonment, depression, loss of economic support and disruption of family relationship. Due to fear of these risks patients may not disclose their HIV positive status. Objective: To assess HIV status disclosure to sexual partner and associated factors among ART users attending ART clinics in Harar town. Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study among ART users in Harar town ART clinics complemented with a qualitative study were conducted among a sample of 388 PLWHA in Harar town ART clinics from March 21 - April 8/ 2011. A pre-tested structured questionnaire and interview guide were employed to obtain the necessary information for this study. The qualitative data were collected by counselors assigned in ART clinics. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS Version 16.0 and triangulated with the qualitative results. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were carried out. Result: - A total of 388 ART users of which 59.85% are females and 40.25% are male were participated in the study. 79.6% disclosed their status for at least someone, while 67.5% disclosed their HIV status to their current sexual partner. Reasons reported for non-disclosure were fear of partner’s reaction, discrimination and mistreatment. Disclosure to sexual partner was associated with marital status, duration since HIV test was made, being influenced by others to HIV test, objection from others to undergo HIV test, support & mistreatment from others, knowledge of partner’s status and Witness of other’s disclosure. Conclusion and recommendation: - Disclosure level to anyone and current sexual partner is low in this study. In Ethiopia where most couples do not mutually know their HIV status, disclosure has paramount importance in curbing new infection. I suggest that HIV prevention in the country as well as regions should target HIV status disclosure and further positive behavioral changes.