An analysis of HIV positive status disclosure to sexual partners among people living with HIV and aids: a case study of Tumbi regional referral hospital care and treatment center, coast region

The purpose of this study was to analyse the magnitude and factors associated with disclosure and non-disclosure of HIV positive status to sexual partners in care and treatment clinic. The study was conducted in Tumbi Regional Referral Hospital in Kibaha District, Coast Region. It employed a cross sectional survey design and structured close ended interview schedules for data collection. A systematic random sampling was used where 109 participants were obtained. The study revealed low rate of HIV AIDS positive status disclosure to sexual partners which is 36(46.2%) and a delayed disclosure of 14(17.9%) as well as timely disclosure of 18(23.7%) and non-disclosure rate 42(57.8%). The process of disclosing HIV positive status to sexual partners is not easy, it is the act of disclosing intensively personal information that can lead to either positive or negative results. The study reveals that disclosure of HIV positive status to sexual partner is a rational process where individual and contextual factors have to be evaluated. Disclosure to sexual partners depended on the perceived benefits, whether outweighed the potential risks and harms one could encounter. Discussion with partners prior to HIV testing, partner’s knowledge on HIV status, marital status and ARV status was the determinant factors for disclosure of HIV positive status to sexual partners. The disclosure rate of HIV positive status revealed in this study is relatively low compared to other areas. However, knowledge on the importance of disclosure to sexual partners was high among people living with HIV. People living with HIV need to be empowered psychologically, being given necessary information and support for decision on the disclosure of HIV positive condition to their sexual partners.