163282 Politics of disclosure: Women's experiences with disclosure of HIV status in South Africa

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Juliet Iwelunmor , Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Collins O. Airhihenbuwa, PhD, MPH , Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Rhonda Belue, PhD , Health Policy and Administration, Penn State University, University Park, PA
Titilayo A. Okoror, PhD , Department of Health and Kinesiology & African American Studies Research Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Darigg C. Brown, PhD, MPH , Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Background: The issue of HIV/AIDS disclosure among women in Africa remains poorly understood. Previous peer review literatures continue to highlight the positive benefits of disclosure with little or no examination of the complex roles of culture in the disclosure process. Using the Pen-3 model as a cultural framework, the study examined the influence of culture in the politics of disclosure among women living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

Methods: Data was drawn from the disclosure experiences of 107 women who participated in 24 focus group interviews. This study is part of an ongoing capacity building project that utilizes the Pen-3 model as a cultural framework for exploring HIV/AIDS stigma in South Africa. The focus group interviews were conducted over a two year period (2003-2005) in three South African communities; Kyelithsha, Gugulethu and Mitchell's Plains.

Results: For most women, disclosure of HIV/AIDS status was driven by their roles in the society. Mothers were more likely to disclose their status because of their children and husbands. Daughters disclosed their status so as to receive necessary support from their mothers. Women in relationships disclosed their status to their partners so as to confirm the mode of their HIV/AIDS infection. In all, culture, societal norms and values influence the politics of disclosure among women living with HIV/AIDS.

Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the need to design HIV/AIDS interventions using a cultural framework. Efforts should be made to address the influence of culture in the positive, existential, and negative aspects of disclosure.

Learning Objectives:
Describe women's experience with disclosure of HIV/AIDS status in South Africa. Identify the positive, existential and negative aspects of disclosure. Recognize the role of culture in the disclosure process of HIV/AIDS status among women in South Africa.

Keywords: Politics, Women and HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Social and Cultural Issues Surrounding HIV/AIDS Status, Disclosure and Transmission
See more of: HIV/AIDS