Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine serostatus disclosure by individuals recently diagnosed with HIV. Methods: Adult patients attending the HIV outpatient clinic in New Orleans between June and September, 2000, who were diagnosed after 1994 were interviewed. Frequencies and logistic regression were conducted to determine prevalence and factors associated with disclosure to each category of people. Results: Of 269 persons interviewed, the majority were men (52%), African American (84%), had CD4 cell count >200 mm3 (65%), and acquired HIV through sex (80%, mostly heterosexual). The mean age was 36.9 years (s.d. 11.4), and the mean time since diagnosis was 2.7 years (s.d. 1.6). Disclosure rates among those who reported having a person in these categories were: main sex partner (74.2%), immediate family (69.9%), other relative (27.0%) and casual sex partner (24.8%). Lower CD4 cell count was associated with disclosure to main partner, immediate family, other relatives and casual sex partners; older age was associated with disclosure to main partner, immediate family and friends; women were more likely to disclose to other relatives than men. Persons who disclosed to at least one casual sex partner were less likely to have had sex without a condom with one of their last five partners than nondisclosers (38% vs. 76%, p<0.001). Conclusion: These data indicate that persons wait to disclose their HIV status until they are more progressed in their disease and that few disclose their status to a casual sex partner. Interventions to improve skills building for HIV disclosure are needed.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, HIV/AIDS
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.