Considerations for purposeful HIV status disclosure among women living with HIV in Ghana

Datos Bibliográficos

ID19438779
AutoresRebecca A Poku (0000-0002-7314-895X), Rebecca Poku (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, autor de correspondencia), Adobea Yaa Owusu (0000-0003-2223-7896, University of Ghana), Patricia Dolan Mullen (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston), Christine Markham (0000-0003-0587-894X, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston), Sheryl A Mccurdy, Sheryl Mccurdy (0000-0003-0526-1608, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston)
Año2017
Volumen29
Número5
Páginas541-544
Fecha de publicación2017-05-04
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAIDS Care (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0954-0121 • E-ISSN: 1360-0451
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09540121.2016.1255711
PMID27838933
OpenAlexW2551932377
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas18
Referencias citadas11

Although disclosure of positive HIV status has recognized benefits, enacted and perceived stigma is a continuing problem in Ghana, especially affecting women living with HIV (WLHIV). This qualitative study investigates how WLHIV make these decisions. We interviewed 40 WLHIV, analysing their transcripts using thematic content analysis. Four themes emerged from the data: selectivity in disclosure; disclosure for education, prevention and to provide support; concern for the potential confident, and safety in secrets. Women's awareness of and concerns about HIV-related stigma led them to seriously weigh the costs and benefits of disclosure decisions. Overall, our participants disclosed only when they believed that disclosure would benefit them or the confidant. They did not condone open disclosure, and preferred non-disclosure to minimize harm to themselves and loved ones. Though disclosure occurred for HIV education and prevention purposes, personal safety was the priority. We recommend revision of current post-HIV testing and pre-treatment counselling procedures to incorporate WLHIVs' judgements about disclosure and discussion of the perceived benefits of disclosure. Disclosure is an intricate process that involves support seeking and educating others while averting harm. Continued research of the factors related to disclosure is important to enhance understanding of the disclosure process

Environmental health · Family medicine · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology