Factors associated with disclosure of HIV status among a cohort of individuals on antiretroviral therapy in British Columbia, Canada

AIDS Behav. 2014 Jun;18(6):1014-26. doi: 10.1007/s10461-013-0623-9.

Abstract

We sought to examine the prevalence and correlates of HIV-disclosure among treatment-experienced individuals in British Columbia, Canada. Study participants completed an interviewer-administered survey between July 2007 and January 2010. The primary outcome of interest was disclosing one's HIV-positive status to all new sexual partners within the last 6 months. An exploratory logistic regression model was developed to identify variables independently associated with disclosure. Of the 657 participants included in this analysis, 73.4 % disclosed their HIV-positive status to all of their sexual partners. Factors independently associated with non-disclosure included identifying as a woman (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.92; 95 % confidence interval [95 % CI] 1.13-3.27) or as a gay or bisexual man (AOR 2.45; 95 % CI 1.47-4.10). Behaviours that were independently associated with non-disclosure were having sex with a stranger (AOR 2.74; 95 % CI 1.46-5.17), not being on treatment at the time of interview (AOR 2.67; 95 % CI 1.40-5.11), and not always using a condom (AOR 1.78; 95 % CI 1.09-2.90). Future preventative strategies should focus on environmental and social factors that may inhibit vulnerable HIV-positive populations, such as women and gay or bisexual men, from safely disclosing their positive status.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • British Columbia / epidemiology
  • Female
  • HIV Seropositivity / psychology*
  • HIV Seropositivity / transmission
  • Homosexuality*
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Self Report
  • Sexual Behavior* / psychology
  • Sexual Partners* / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Truth Disclosure*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents