Outcomes and Factors Affecting HIV Status Disclosure to Regular Sexual Partner among Women Attending Antiretroviral Treatment Clinic

Introduction: HIV infected individuals face a number of challenges when they disclose their sero-status. Although discloser improves access to HIV prevention, increased opportunities for risk reduction and increased opportunities to plan for the future, HIV positive status discloser is lower in developing countries. Objective: To assess outcomes and factors affecting HIV status discloser to regular sexual partner among women attending anti-retroviral treatment clinic at Hawassa university comprehensive specialized hospital. Method and materials: An institution based cross sectional study was conducted among 191 randomly selected HIV positive women attending Hawassa university referral hospital ART Clinic from Mar 1 –Mar 30 in 2017. The data was collected after having ethical clearance letter from institutional review board and consent from client. Data were collected through interview using pre-tested questioners. The collected data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were done and final significantly associated factors were identified on the basis of OR with 95% CI. Results: over all 72.9 of the women has disclosed their HIV status to sexual partners. Among those disclosed their HIV positive status, 54.1% get their freedom to have follow up. While 30% get their freedom to use condom. Negative outcomes associated with status disclosure were stigma 11.6%, discrimination 10.1% and psychological violence 5%.Women who had rough relation with her 89% less likely to disclose their status as compared to women with smooth relationship (AOR=0.11 955CI 0.01, 0.119). Women who had children were 9.89 times more likely to disclose their status to sexual partners than their counter parts (AOR 9.89, 95% CI 2.68, 36.36 ).women who received counseling were almost 7 times more likely disclose their HIV status to their sexual partner (AOR=5.63 95%CI 2.24, 14.13) . Conclusion: HIV positive status discloses to sexual partners was found to be low.HIV status disclosure was accompanied by both negative and positive consequences. Presence of offspring, counseling, relationship status before status disclosure was factors associated with HIV positive status disclosure.