Factors associated with self-disclosure of HIV serostatus to significant others

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.