“I'd Rather Tell My Kids I Got Diabetes” Disclosure among HIV Positive African American Mothers in Rural South Central Georgia

Stigma has been shown to be a powerful influence over HIV disclosure, especially among People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the rural Deep South. Stigma has lead to a fear of being disowned by family members and has prevented HIV disclosure. There has however, been little research focused on the barriers and impact of disclosure of PLWHAs to their children. Using grounded theory methods 16 HIV positive African American mothers living in rural South Central Georgia were interviewed about their experiences living with HIV. One of the prevalent themes was disclosure to loved ones, with the majority of participants reporting that they did not disclose, nor intended on disclosing their positive status to their children. The main reasons for non disclosure included: Fear of causing pain to their children, fear that their children would neglect their studies, and fear that their children would be ostracized in their small community. The few mothers who did disclose to their children experienced hostility, rejection and denial from their children. Participants felt more comfortable letting their children believe that they were afflicted with other chronic diseases like diabetes instead of HIV in order to explain their illness. Mental health services in the rural Deep South need to be provided for the children of HIV infected parents in order to help them cope with their parents' positive status. Awareness of the availability of these services can help to remove some of the barriers to HIV disclosure among PLWHA.