Disclosure of HIV infection in South India

Patterns, reasons and reactions

Bibliographic Data

ID19443164
AuthorsP Sarat Chandra (0000-0002-3375-6803, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences), S Deepthivarma (a Department of Psychiatry National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences , Bangalore), V Manjula (a Department of Psychiatry National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences , Bangalore)
Year2003
Volume15
Issue2
Pages207-215
Publication date2003-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAIDS Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-0121 • E-ISSN: 1360-0451
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0954012031000068353
PMID12856342
OpenAlexW2053415859
LanguageEN
Citations received61

The aim of this study was to examine aspects related to self-disclosure of their seropositive status among 68 persons (35 men and 33 women) infected with HIV. Data was collected through in-depth interviews to assess ways in which HIV-related disclosure took place and factors that influenced disclosure. The data was subjected to both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Voluntary disclosure was noted in 44 subjects (65%), while in other 24 (35%) subjects disclosure occurred without consent. Of those who disclosed, 78% of the subjects reported self-disclosure to family members, 7% to friends and 15% exclusively to health professionals. Expectations of emotional and material support from the family members were one of the commonly cited reasons for voluntary disclosure. Only half of the subjects disclosed complete and truthful information while in the rest, disclosure was partial or disguised as a less stigmatizing illness. Stigma, fear of discrimination, disgrace to family and self and futility were reported as the main reasons for non-disclosure. The majority of the subjects (73%) reported anticipation of negative societal reaction as the main concern following disclosure. In India, where HIV-related counselling services are still not freely available, there continue to be non-uniform practices related to confidentiality and disclosure. The findings of this study are important in identifying cultural factors related to disclosure in HIV infection and highlight the need to examine the varying patterns and concerns related to disclosure among HIV-infected individuals

Confidentiality · Family medicine · Full disclosure · Health care · Health professionals · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Self-disclosure · Voluntary disclosure · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology