Objectives. To examine rates and patterns of self-disclosure of HIV serosta
tus amongst individuals attending an out-patient HIV clinic in East London.
Design. A cross-sectional survey design was used.
Methods. A volunteer sample of 95 out-patient HIV clinic attendees complete
d a self-report questionnaire examining patterns of disclosure to self-iden
tified significant others, reasons for disclosure and non-disclosure, satis
faction with social support (SSQ6), quality of life (MOS-30) and anxiety an
d depression (HADS). Self-disclosure was examined in relation to cultural b
ackground, gender, satisfaction with social support, and medical and psycho
logical variables.
Results. Seventy-nine men and 16 women reported a mean disclosure rate of 6
8% to self-identified significant others. Five individuals had not disclose
d their HIV status to anyone; 91% of individuals had informed their partner
. Friends were more frequently informed (79%) than family (53%). Ethnicity
(p < .001) and length of time since testing HIV seropositive (p < .05) emer
ged as significant predictors of disclosure. Global satisfaction with socia
l support was negatively correlated with depression bur was not associated
with the total rate of HIV disclosure. Frequently reported reasons for non-
disclosure included wanting to protect others from distress and fear of dis
crimination.
Conclusions. Self-disclosure of:HIV serostatus rates was highest for partne
rs, followed by friends, and lowest for: family members. Patterns of disclo
sure of HIV serostatus varied in relation to ethnicity. Fifteen years into
the HIV epidemic, social stigma continues to contribute towards non-disclos
ure of diagnosis.