Disclosure of HIV Positive Status: A Challenge Facing HIV Control, Alexandria, Egypt | ||
| The Egyptian Journal of Community Medicine | ||
| Article 2, Volume 37, Issue 2, April 2019, Pages 10-16 PDF (367.85 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejcm.2019.30910 | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Egypt is reported to have a growing HIV epidemic especially among injecting drug users and men who have sex with men. There is no published research studying disclosure among those living with HIV in Egypt. The study aimed to estimate disclosure rate, motives, barriers, consequences, and association with sexual behavior. Methods: Eighty (80) people living with HIV -16 years old and above- were selected using a systematic random technique from those regularly attending Alexandria National AIDS program center for treatment supply. A designed semi-structured interview questionnaire was used to collect data. Results: Self disclosure rate was 78.8%. Socially unaccepted behaviors associated with HIV transmission are significantly associated with non disclosure. Seeking support was the main motive. Sister and mother were first to disclose to (79.3%). Anger and rejection was significantly associated with disclosure of HIV transmission through socially unaccepted behaviors. Denial of disease was the parents’ reaction in 4.8%. Female sex workers and men having sex with men were regretting disclosure to their sexual partners in most occasions and usually have unprotected sex. Conclusion: Culture, traditions, and religious beliefs play an important role in disclosure motives and consequences in Egypt. Public awareness regarding disease nature and high risk behaviors, and encouraging screening among high risk behavior groups should be integrated in the control program. Disclosure of HIV status and having protected sex should be discussed with all HIV diagnosed cases irrespective of their marital status. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| HIV; AIDS; disclosure; Unprotected sex; Egypt | ||
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