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11th Annual Conference Of The British HIV Association [BHIVA]20–23 April 2005, Burlington Hotel·Dublin·Ireland |
[AUTHOR(S):] J Bickford, SE Barton, S Mandalia
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
BHIVA Conf 2005 Apr 20-23;11:O6
OBJECTIVES: To assess the nature and effect of stigma on disclosure of genital herpes diagnosis to sexual partners.
METHODOLOGY: Quantitative data regarding disclosure were collected using a questionnaire survey which included the hospital anxiety and depression scale captured on likert scales. In addition qualitative data were collected on 10% of these subjects using semi-structured interviews.
RESULTS: Seventy-one patients responded to the questionnaire and the in clinic response rate was 91%. The point prevalence of moderate to severe anxiety in this sample was 32%. 54% discussed genital herpes with all their sexual partners and 44% did so before first sexual contact. Qualitative interview identified herpes related stigma associated with non-disclosure of diagnosis to sexual partners. Disclosure of diagnosis to sexual partners tended to occur within the context of established relationships.
CONCLUSIONS: The reaction to a diagnosis of genital herpes and the decision to disclose or not is influenced by cultural understanding of the infection as well the value of the relationship in which the disclosure may occur. Our study demonstrated that stigma is a barrier to disclosure of genital herpes diagnosis. Management strategies aimed at encouraging disclosure to sexual partners must address stigma.
PRESENTING AUTHOR: J Bickford
2005-04-20
O6
Copyright © 2005 - British HIV Association (BHIVA) Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BHIVA Organising Secretariat 1 Mountview Court, 310 Friern Barnet Lane, London N20 0LD