| dc.description.abstract | The study sought to understand problems related to inter spousal non-disclosure of HIV status among married hetero sexual couples. Disclosure leads to improved access to HIV prevention, treatment, opportunities for risk reduction and planning for the future. Also there is behaviour change which occurs dramatically among couples who are aware of their HIV status and HIV awareness enables couples to make informed reproductive health choices, which may ultimately lowers the number of unintended pregnancies.
The main objective was to determine factors that hinder inter spousal disclosure of HIV status among PL WHA.
In particular the study examined socio-demographic factors that hinder inter spousal disclosure of HIV status among PL WH .the spousal traits of persons of who have not disclosed their diagnosis and the health and medical factors which contribute to non disclosure. Kenyatta National Hospital was chosen for research convenience also no similar research had been conducted. It involved 120 PLWH randomly selected from HIV patients presenting for treatment at the CCc. Purposeful sampling method was used. A qualitative descriptive case study research design was used. The attribution & social cognitive, Goffman stigma management and rational choice were used to examine factors hindering disclosure.
The study found that PL WH with the tendency of non disclosure are those aged less than 35 years, none literate, polygamous, newly married couples and those with few economic opportunities. Most of them tend to tailor non disclosure strategies to meet their needs and navigate around social and economic barriers. Factors identified as a barrier to disclosure included moral blame, religion, poor living conditions and long distance relationships. Many HIV positive individuals are reluctant to reveal their HIV status because of the discrimination that they may experience as a result of stigma, discrimination and the implications for people living with HIV / AIDS, which Of ten leaves those infected alone and distanced from the rest of their communities.
colleagues and even family. PLWHA should not be scorned those who choose to remain silent in order to keep food on their tables and a roof over their heads. Sometimes, silence equals life. There should be thorough training of the persons who are involved in HJV I AIDS programmes and health care workers and community at large. This because the finding show there is fear of contagion due to insufficient knowledge is one of the causes of stigma and discrimination hence non disclosure to resolve initial fears and misconceptions about the disease.
There is a continued need to let people know the basic facts about HJV transmission, non transmission, and prevention and care because ignorance of these facts leads to fear which in tum adds to non disclosure. Also, encourage people with HJV I AIDS to tell their story I sharing of experiences will allow the community understand how HIV affects people's lives and how people and the community can respond to it and also the issue of disclosure addressed. | en |
