DISCLOSURE OF HIV STATUS BY HIV POSITIVE PATIENTS ATTENDING ADULT ART CLINIC AT GOMBE STATE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, GOMBE
DISCLOSURE OF HIV STATUS BY HIV POSITIVE PATIENTS ATTENDING ADULT ART CLINIC AT GOMBE STATE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, GOMBE
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Date
2012-08
Authors
DANKOLI, RAYMOND SALANGA
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Abstract
Disclosure of HIV status especially to sexual partners is an important prevention goal. Many
international organizations including UNAIDS, WHO and CDC are emphasizing the importance
of HIV status disclosure. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of HIV status
disclosure and the factors that are associated with disclosure of HIV status by HIV positive
patients attending the adult ART clinic in Gombe State Specialist Hospital (GSSH)
This was a cross sectional descriptive study among adult HIV positive patients at GSSH. Study
participant were sample using a systematic random sampling technique and interviewer
administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data.
A total of 198 out of 200 respondents were interviewed yielding a response rate of 99%. There
were more female (80.3%) respondents compared to male (19.7%). Majority (76.8%) of the
respondents were between 20 and 39years old with a mean age of 32.9years. 60.1% of the
respondents were married with majority (78%) of them in a monogamous family setting. The
vast majority (97.5%) had disclosed their HIV status and majority (36.8%) of them disclosed to
their spouses. 64% of the respondents had treatment supporter and spouses (42.9%) were their
choice of a treatment supporter. Disclosure of HIV status was found to be associated only with
young age (<40years) [AOR 38.16; 95% CI 2.42-602.61]. However, female gender [AOR 1.53;
95% CI 0.14-17.02] and being employed [AOR 9.76; 95% CI 0.64-148.65] are more likely to
disclose HIV status. While being educated [AOR 0.69; 95% CI 0.07-6.74], short duration of
infection (<1year) [AOR 0.18; 95% CI 0.01-3.17] and being married [AOR 0.31; 95% CI 0.02-
4.23] make it less likely to disclose HIV status.
Disclosure of HIV status was high in the study population. Spouses were the most preferential
choice of persons HIV statuses were disclosed to and also the most adopted as treatment
supporter. HIV status disclosure should be made soon after diagnosis because of its importance
especially to couples. This encourages family support and lessens stigmatization.
Key words: Disclosure Factors; HIV Status; Gombe State
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE
POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD
OF MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH (MPH) IN
FIELD EPIDEMIOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY MEDICINE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA
September, 2012
Keywords
DISCLOSURE ,, HIV STATUS,, HIV POSITIVE,, PATIENTS ATTENDING,, ADULT ART CLINIC, GOMBE STATE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, GOMBE