Individual and Social Predictors of HIV Status Disclosure in HIV-Positive Individuals in Ahvaz, Khuzestan, Southwest of Iran

Encouraging people who live with HIV (PWLH) to inform their sexual partner about HIV infection is an effective way to reduce the spread of HIV. It reduces the probability of HIV transmission by avoiding high-risk behaviors.

To determine the predictors of disclosure of HIV status to a sexual partner(s) in PWLH in Khuzestan province, Iran.

The current descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was performed on 89 men and 31 women with HIV/AIDS. Data were collected from October 2016 to February 2017. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit participants. Socio-demographic and Kalichman HIV status disclosure questionnaires were used to collect data. The questionnaire was filled by participants. In addition to socio-demographic information, high-risk sexual behaviors, history of drug and alcohol use, number of sexual partners, and HIV status of the partner were also reported by participants. A multivariate linear regression model with a backward strategy was used to determine the predictors of HIV disclosure.

Half of the participants (49.1%) had two or more sexual partners. 46.7% of participants reported that the HIV status of sexual partners is unknown. Frequency of unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral relationship were 87.5%, 43.3%, and 58.5%, respectively. 71.7% of participants had a history of drug abuse, and 43.3% were current substance users. More than half (58.3%) had a history of imprisonment. Based on the multivariate linear regression model, the variables of employment status, HIV status of sexual partner, unprotected vaginal sex, unprotected anal sex, and recurrent consumption of narcotic drugs were predictors of HIV disclosure. These variables explained 58.7% of the variance in the total score of HIV disclosure.

The present study highlighted the need for behavioral interventions, such as providing support and counseling with sexual partners of HIV patients about HIV preventive behaviors, such as condom use, reducing the number of sexual partners, and creation of a positive attitude towards the lives of HIV-positive intravenous drug users to overcome the barriers to reduce high-risk behaviors and drug abuse, through behavioral disease counseling centers.