Health Education Research, Vol. 18, No. 1, 32-44,
February 2003
© 2003 Oxford University Press
Disclosure of HIV infection: how do women decide to tell?
College of Health and Human Services, Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144,1 Manhattan Office, Family Studies Department, Center for Community Health, Neuropsychiatry Institute, UCLA, NY 10038,2 Department of Administrative and Clinical Nursing, College of Nursing, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208 and3 Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services, Columbia, SC 29201, USA
This descriptive study explores the phenomenon of disclosure of HIV infection by women. Specifically, we examined women’s level of disclosure to various groups and how these disclosure decisions are made. The sample consisted of 322 HIV-infected women residing in the southern US. Participants were predominantly African-American, single women of reproductive age with yearly incomes less than $10 000. Data were collected at the first interview of a longitudinal study of reproductive decision making. Findings showed that the majority of the women had disclosed to some sex partners, close family and friends, and health care professionals. However, for a group of women, disclosure of HIV infection is a difficult issue supporting the need for health education and counseling. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis and revealed three major categories describing how women make disclosure decisions: full disclosure, criteria for disclosure and emotional disclosure. Quantitative analysis revealed few demographic differences among women in the three disclosure categories. These findings provide insight that can assist those working with HIV-infected women in helping them decide not only to whom they disclose, but how best to disclose.