SELF-DISCLOSURE OF HIV-INFECTION AMONG MEN WHO VARY IN TIME SINCE SEROPOSITIVE DIAGNOSIS AND SYMPTOMATIC STATUS

Objective: To assess self-disclosure of HIV-positive serostatus to fam ily, friends, and intimate lovers among asymptomatic and symptomatic m en who varied in length of time since HIV-seropositive diagnosis. Addi tionally, the study assessed the anticipated and actual interpersonal consequences of disclosure. Methods: A multiethnic sample of 684 men w ith HIV/AIDS completed self-administered questionnaires at two HIV-out patient clinics in Los Angeles. The cross-sectional analysis stratifie d the men by time since testing HIV-seropositive and symptomatic statu s. Disclosure to six significant others (intimate lover, close friend, mother, father, sister, brother) was examined in univariate and multi variate analyses. Results: Men recently diagnosed HIV-seropositive (wi thin 2-4 months) were more likely to have informed intimate lovers and friends than family members; disclosure to father was extremely low. Disclosure was generally lower among asymptomatic than symptomatic men ; 21% of asymptomatic men who had tested HIV-seropositive in the previ ous year had not informed any of the six significant others considered in the study. Disclosure rates were higher among men diagnosed less r ecently. The interpersonal reactions of those informed were more favor able than the reactions non-disclosers anticipated; however, both actu al and anticipated reactions were generally supportive. Conclusion: Ma ny asymptomatic men inform few or no significant others of their HIV i nfection in the first few months after HIV diagnosis. Given the genera lly supportive reactions reported, HIV-seropositive men should be enco uraged, when appropriate, to inform family, friends, and intimate love rs of their serostatus.