Self-Disclosure of HIV Seropositivity to Community Service Providers as a Path to Household Well-Being

Background: This study explores the use of self-disclosure of positive HIV sero-status among low income parents in securing their household's well-being. There is a dearth of evidence on factors and conditions related to disclosure of status by individuals living with HIV, especially to those not within their immediate social circles. Methods: Utilizing a grounded theory approach, face to face interviews were conducted with 29 participants including ten parents diagnosed with HIV infection, twelve children, and seven key informants knowledgeable in the area of HIV and AIDS. Participants were from drawn from Nairobi and Central provinces in Kenya. Results: Parents utilized self-disclosure of HIV seropositivity to navigate socio-economic barriers associated with living with the disease. Self-disclosure was also used to shield their children from the consequences of living with a HIV positive parent. Self-disclosure to carefully selected individuals was therefore both a tool to mitigate fear, stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS as well as a negotiating tool to navigate access to services. Self-disclosure to service providers facilitated admittance into support groups for psychosocial support; self-disclosure to school administrators and teachers provided parents with the leverage needed to keep their children enrolled in schools; self-disclosure to religious leaders provided access to spiritual and economic supports. Conclusion: Respondents identify self-disclosure of HIV seropositivity as integral to their resilience. These data support the use of self-disclosure to resource gate-keepers as a way to access services designed to bolster coping strategies among low-income families impacted by HIV and AIDS.