A model of HIV disclosure: disclosure and types of social relationships.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess perceptions of HIV positive (+) persons regarding disclosure of their serostatus to others with the goal of developing a model of HIV disclosure that could be used by healthcare providers (HCPs) in HIV prevention.


METHODS
Data were collected through 13 focus groups from 104 HIV+ participants. The groups were formed based on three HIV risk exposure categories--men who have sex with men, high-risk heterosexuals, and substance users.


CONCLUSIONS
Data analysis revealed three themes: disclosure of one's HIV+ serostatus depends on type of social relationships, fear, and stigma, with social relationships being the major theme. A model of HIV disclosure emerged from the data analysis of social relationships. In the model, social relationships were categorized as sexual and nonsexual, with varying degrees of HIV disclosure-depending on the social relationship with the person to whom one did or did not disclose. Results indicated that HIV is still a fearful and stigmatizing disease, and disclosure of HIV status is a complex phenomenon embedded in various types of social relationships.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study provide a "Model of HIV Disclosure" that can be utilized by nurse practitioners and other HCPs in clinical practice when providing treatment, counseling, and prevention education for HIV+ clients and for prevention education for HIV negative clients--especially for family, friends, sexual partners, and employers of HIV+ clients.
Bairan
Annette
A
Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, USA. abairan@kennesaw.edu
Taylor
Gloria Ann Jones
GA
Blake
Barbara J
BJ
Akers
Timothy
T
Sowell
Richard
R
Mendiola
Rick
R
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005845:Georgia; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D013240:Stereotyping; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology