HIV disclosure and stigma among women living with HIV in Denmark

TY - JOUR

T1 - HIV disclosure and stigma among women living with HIV in Denmark

AU - Wessman, Maria

AU - Thorsteinsson, Kristina

AU - Storgaard, Merete

AU - Rönsholt, Frederikke F

AU - Johansen, Isik S

AU - Pedersen, Gitte

AU - Nielsen, Lars N

AU - Wies, Nina

AU - Katzenstein, Terese L

AU - Lebech, Anne-Mette

PY - 2017/7/1

Y1 - 2017/7/1

N2 - OBJECTIVE: To identify disclosure, stigma and predictors of non-disclosure among women living with HIV in Denmark.METHODS: A questionnaire study of women living with HIV in Denmark was performed. The enrolment period was from February 2013 to March 2014. Logistic regression was used to estimate predictors of non-disclosure.RESULTS: A total of 234 participants were included. The majority (94%) had disclosed their HIV status to at least one person outside their healthcare environment, although 29% had disclosed to fewer than three people. Confidantes were mostly partners (96%), siblings (63%), friends (63%) and children (41%). The primary reason for non-disclosure was a feeling that it did not concern others (55%), although reactions upon disclosure were mainly positive in 53%. Predictors of non-disclosure were being of black or Asian ethnicity. Following their HIV diagnosis, 40% no longer dared to have sex, 40% felt isolated and 23% felt that others were afraid and kept a physical distance. In contrast, after disclosure 75% felt better at taking decisions about life and 50% were in closer contact with family and friends.CONCLUSION: Almost one-third of participants disclosed their HIV diagnosis to fewer than three people and black or Asian ethnicity predicted non-disclosure. HIV-related stigma regarding sex and contact with others is still highly prevalent; however, reactions to disclosure were mainly positive and associated with secondary positive gains. We strongly urge healthcare professionals to initiate a dialogue regarding stigma and disclosure with women living with HIV with a view to increasing disclosure and minimising stigmatisation in this vulnerable population.

AB - OBJECTIVE: To identify disclosure, stigma and predictors of non-disclosure among women living with HIV in Denmark.METHODS: A questionnaire study of women living with HIV in Denmark was performed. The enrolment period was from February 2013 to March 2014. Logistic regression was used to estimate predictors of non-disclosure.RESULTS: A total of 234 participants were included. The majority (94%) had disclosed their HIV status to at least one person outside their healthcare environment, although 29% had disclosed to fewer than three people. Confidantes were mostly partners (96%), siblings (63%), friends (63%) and children (41%). The primary reason for non-disclosure was a feeling that it did not concern others (55%), although reactions upon disclosure were mainly positive in 53%. Predictors of non-disclosure were being of black or Asian ethnicity. Following their HIV diagnosis, 40% no longer dared to have sex, 40% felt isolated and 23% felt that others were afraid and kept a physical distance. In contrast, after disclosure 75% felt better at taking decisions about life and 50% were in closer contact with family and friends.CONCLUSION: Almost one-third of participants disclosed their HIV diagnosis to fewer than three people and black or Asian ethnicity predicted non-disclosure. HIV-related stigma regarding sex and contact with others is still highly prevalent; however, reactions to disclosure were mainly positive and associated with secondary positive gains. We strongly urge healthcare professionals to initiate a dialogue regarding stigma and disclosure with women living with HIV with a view to increasing disclosure and minimising stigmatisation in this vulnerable population.

KW - Editorial

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28758021

SN - 2055-6640

VL - 3

SP - 140

EP - 144

JO - Journal of Virus Eradication

JF - Journal of Virus Eradication

IS - 3

ER -