Dealing with Dilemmas: Understanding the Process and Challenges of Disclosing the HIV Status of People Living with HIV/AIDS Through Gender Lens

Disclosure is governed by a host of individual, health and psychological factors that operate in and shape the decisions related to disclosure in a patient among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV).This article studies process of disclosure, how gender affects disclosure and how it differs among PLHIV by studying their life events integrating quantitative and qualitative information from 204 respondents. Mix method approach was used to collect the data from selected male and female respondents. A total of 204 completed interviews were carried out. Bivariate and multivariate statistical techniques have been used in the study. One-third respondents reported to not have disclosed status to their partner. Female PLHIV were significantly more likely (AOR: 2.8, p <.05) to disclose their HIV status to their spouse/regular partner. Three-fifths of women were tested after they lost their husbands to AIDS or living with HIV. Around 94% women reported self-perceived stigma and 83% feared of being discriminated. Female PLHIV are approximately 3 times (p <.05) more likely to have the fear of discrimination. Findings of the study reinforce the necessity of integrating gender in every HIV prevention efforts as disclosure of HIV status may provide opportunity for early initiation of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), which may ensure adherence to ART services and suppressing the viral load.