Factors associated with HIV voluntary disclosure of people living with HIV to their steady sexual partner in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: results from a community-based participatory research

Abstract

IntroductionHIV disclosure to a steady sexual partner (SSP) is important both in preventing HIV transmission and improving the quality of life of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Its determinants have been poorly investigated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The study objective was to determine factors independently associated with voluntary disclosure to one's SSP in PLHIV receiving services from a Congolese community-based organization (CBO).MethodsA community-based participatory research was performed and 300 PLHIV were interviewed by members of the CBO, using a standardized questionnaire. A multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the variables independently associated with disclosure.ResultsIn this sample, 79 of the 127 participants (62%) included in the analysis declared having voluntarily disclosed their serostatus to their SSP. Declaring to be in a relationship (Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval): 4.2 (1.4-12.6)), having tested for HIV because of symptoms (2.5 (1.0-6.4)), having taken the test on one's own initiative (3.2 (1.3-8.0)), having felt sympathy and indifference from people when disclosing (6.0 (1.4-26.9) and 5.0 (1.1-22.8), respectively) as well as having a higher score of the “regular discussion about daily life with HIV” index (1.7 (1.1-2.5)) were significantly associated with disclosure to one's SSP.ConclusionSeveral individual and contextual factors were associated with voluntary disclosure to SSP in this study, highlighting the complex nature of the disclosure process. Interventions encouraging disclosure should be designed so as to adapt to one's personal life with HIV as well as psychosocial environment.

Low Disclosure Rates to Sexual Partners and Unsafe Sexual Practices of Youth Recently Diagnosed with HIV; Implications for HIV Prevention Interventions in South Africa

“…In the current study, the prevalence of disclosure was 40%, and it was motivated by the need to protect the partners from HIV transmission, to receive support from their partners, and to be honest and truthful to their partners. Consistent with other studies, concern about protecting the sexual partner from HIV infection was the most common motivator for disclosing [ 8 , 11 , 33 ]. Despite the disclosures being motivated by the need for support, less than a tenth of the participants in the study had received support from the partner following disclosure.…”

Patient and public involvement in health research in low and middle-income countries: a systematic review

“…Aims were formulated with the intention of engaging CHWs in many aspects of the research process, including data collection, analysis and dissemination. Zola et al reported that the ‘community based organisation members (CBO), people living with HIV (PLHIV) and researchers were involved, in an equitable partnership’ 18. Community members were trained in research methods and ethics, and then involved in developing the questionnaire and conducting the interviews 18…”