BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS TO HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS SERO-STATUS DISCLOSURE IN A TERTIARY HEALTH FACILITY IN KANO, NIGERIA
Background: Disclosure of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) sero-status to sexual partners, family and friends is essential in preventing HIV transmission. An array of benefits has been associated with disclosure; such as early referral to care and treatment, reduced stigma and increased social sup...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Ntec Specialist
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Kanem Journal of Medical Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://kjmsmedicaljournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/5.Ibrahim-RJ-et-al-vol14no1.pdf |
| Summary: | Background: Disclosure of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) sero-status to sexual
partners, family and friends is essential in preventing HIV transmission. An array of benefits has
been associated with disclosure; such as early referral to care and treatment, reduced stigma and
increased social support. Objectives: We determined the prevalence, barriers and facilitators to
HIV sero-status disclosure among clients attending the Antiretroviral (ARV) clinic in Aminu
Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted
among 231 HIV positive patients attending ARV clinic at AKTH using a systematic sampling
technique. Interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain
respondent's socio-demographic characteristics, disclosure status, barriers and facilitators of HIV
sero-status disclosure. We conducted univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis using SPSS
version 22, and a p- value ≤ 0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Results: The mean age
of the respondents was 35 ± 8.64 years with a male to female sex distribution of 53% to 47 %
respectively. Majority were not married (74.0%) and two thirds (67%) were Muslims. This study
found that 60% of the respondents had disclosed their HIV sero-status and 97% of them had done
so voluntarily. The fear of divorce/neglect (p less than 0.01, aOR=0.017, 95% CI=0.02-0.15) and fear of
stigma (p less than 0.01, aOR=0.03, 95% CI= 0.00-0.03) were found as barriers to HIV sero-status
disclosure. Financial difficulties (p less than 0.01, aOR=3.03, 95% CI=1.16-5.61) and the need for improved
access to necessary medical care (p=0.04, aOR=6.52, 95% CI=1.85-23.15) were found to facilitate
HIV sero status disclosure. Conclusion: The study found a low HIV sero-status disclosure in
Kano. Disclosure being major recommendation by World Health Organisation and the Centres
for Disease Control and Prevention requires strengthening during patients counselling and
education sessions. |
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| ISSN: | 2006-4772 2714-2426 |