16th International AIDS Conference Toronto, Canada - August 13 - 18, 2006

A QUALITATIVE STUDY INTO THE IMPACT OF HIV DISEASE PROGRESSION ON INITIAL HIV-SEROSTATUS DISCLOSURE TO SIGNIFICANT OTHERS

Int Conf AIDS. 2006 Aug 13-18;16 Abstract No. MoAd0101

Almeleh C.
AIDS and Society Research Unit, Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa

BACKGROUND: This study explores the bio-psychosocial context of HIV/AIDS in which eleven HIV-positive women negotiate the process of disclosing their positive serostatus to significant others, specifically biological household members. The study is based on the personal experiences of a group of HIV-positive peer-educators in Cape Town, South Africa.

METHODS: The data was generated through in-depth interviews, two focus-group discussions, ethnographic observation, and a self-administered questionnaire with eleven HIV-positive African women. The study uses data from a longitudinal-survey of people on HAART for a minimum period of one year (n=247).

RESULTS: 72% of the sample disclosed their HIV-positive status to a close biological household member (significant-other) as significant-others provided, or had the potential to provide the necessary health-related social support. 50% of the sample did not disclose until they were sick in the later stages of HIV-disease. At this time, concerns regarding health and mortality superseded fears of rejection and discrimination due to AIDS-related stigma. The perceived potential benefits (social and health-related support) outweighed the perceived risks (ostracism and discrimination). When participants had never been sick, they disclosed in order to educate loved-ones and challenge HIV/AIDS-stigma.

CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the unique and changing biophysical nature of HIV/AIDS lends itself to possible social and individual confusion which in-turn facilitates false popular perceptions of HIV/AIDS. HIV-positive individuals have to negotiate through the disclosure process in this particular social context. Consequently, the motivations for disclosure and the choice of recipients are based on a complex and subjective combination of countering false popular perceptions of HIV/AIDS, and accessing appropriate treatment, care and support. Further research on HIV-status disclosure in Africa needs to be conducted and theoretical models developed, where HIV/AIDS is viewed as a dynamic and changing bio-psychosocial experience in which the HIV-positive person simultaneously negotiates their way through and reproduces their individual and social contexts.

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2006-08-13
MoAd0101

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