HIV STATUS DISCLOSURE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS FOLLOW-UP ART CLINIC AT FITCHE HOSPITAL, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Abstract Background: The disclosure of positive HIV results plays an important role in the successful prevention and care of HIV-infected patients. It offers significant social and health benefits for individuals and the community. However, there was a lack of evidence to support disclosure of HIV / AIDS status to sexual partners, family and friends in the study area. The study aimed to determine the magnitude and associated factors of HIV status disclosure among people living with HIV/AIDS follow-up ART clinic at Fitche Hospital. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study design was conducted and data was collected through face-to-face interviews from March 15 to May30, 2021. The study population consisted of people with HIV who were at least 18 years of age attending an ART clinic. The data was entered in Epi Info version 7 and then exported to the SPSS version 25 statistical software for data analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent determinants of disclosure of HIV status at p <0.05. Result: Of the 380 respondents, 95.5% had disclosed their HIV status to someone. Disclosure was made to their family 80%, to their sexual partner 67% and to friends 29%. In the multiple regression model, knowing their partner's HIV status (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 11.08 (95% Confidence Interval(CI): 3.02,40.7), knowledge on the importance of HIV disclosure (AOR = 8.57(95% CI: 1.86,9.48) and longer duration of HIV follow-up (AOR=1.013(95% CI: 1.003,1.024) were independently associated with disclosure of HIV status to someone. Conclusion: Most people with HIV shared their HIV status with someone, while the disclosure to sexual partners was relatively low. Government and stake holders are needed to promote HIV disclosure particularly among sexual partner. Key Words: Disclosure, HIV status, PLWHA, Ethiopia