Infection Status Disclosure among Men and Women Receiving Treatment for HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia

Ayalu Reda, Brown University
Sibhatu Biadgilign, Jimma University
Kebede Deribe, Jimma University
Amare Deribew, Jimma University

This study aims to describe disclosure of HIV diagnosis and factors associated with it among a cohort of patients receiving HIV treatment in eastern Ethiopia. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted among a random sample of patients that started treatment in three hospitals located in eastern Ethiopia. Results: A total of 1540 study participants were included in the study, where 963 (62.5%) were females and 574 (37.3%) males. Most of the married participants have disclosed to their wife or husband (402, 66.3%), but the overall sample had much lower rates of disclosure to brothers or sisters (262, 17.0%) and relatives (259, 16.8%). A small number of patients (11.6%, 179) did not disclose their infection status at all and none of the patients (0, 0%) had disclosed to all of their family members. Conclusion: The findings of the study revealed a lower level of HIV disclosure status compared to similar settings.