Dimie Ogoina, Peter Ikuabe, Ikenna Ebuenyi, Tubonye Harry, Otonyo Inatimi, Ogechi Chukwueke

Department of Medicine and Heart to Heart Clinic, Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri,
Bayelsa state

Abstract

Background and objective: Our aim was to describe the types and determinants of partner reactions to HIV-status disclosure among adults attending an antiretroviral therapy-(ART) clinic in the Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken between January and March 2013 among consecutive adult patients who had disclosed their HIV-status to their current sexual partner. Sociodemograhic data and types of initial and subsequent partner reactions to disclosure were obtained using interviewer- administered standardized-questionnaire. Independent determinants of reactions to disclosure were ascertained by unconditional logistic regression.

Results: Out of 123 study participants, 57.7% were females, 92% were receiving ART and 86.1% were currently married. Majority of the participants reported predominant positive or supportive initial (72.4%) and subsequent (89.5%) partner reactions to disclosure, with signifcant increase in positive reactions over time. Positive initial partner reactions were independently associated with prior post- test counselling-(Odds ratio [OR]-6.5, 95% Confdence interval [CI]-1.3-31.6-p=0.02), age>35years-(OR-5.8, 95% CI-1.6-20.9-p=0.008) and being healthy at time of disclosure-(OR-7.8, 95% CI-1.7-35.4-p=0.008). Subsequent positive partner reactions were signifcantly associated with receiving antiretroviral therapy and having only one lifetime sexual partner.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that partner reactions to HIV-status disclosure are predominantly supportive. Disclosure counselling and early initiation of ART may be effective in improving HIV-status disclosure in Nigeria.

Keywords: HIV-disclosure, sexual partners, disclosure reactions, Counselling, antiretroviral therapy, Nigeria.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v15i1.2