Disclosing hepatitis C infection within everyday contexts: implications for accessing support and healthcare.
In this paper the authors quantify hepatitis C disclosure outcomes across social contexts and identify the factors associated with widespread disclosure of infection. In a cross-sectional survey of people with hepatitis C (N = 504) more than half reported receiving a bad reaction from someone following disclosure. Unauthorized disclosure occurred, and many participants had been pressured into disclosing their infection. The factors associated with widespread disclosure were: education level; knowing other people with hepatitis C; feeling fatigued; receiving disclosure advice; and experiencing unauthorized disclosure. Bad reactions following disclosure are common and may impede health-seeking behaviour including uptake of hepatitis C treatment.
Hopwood
Max
M
National Centre in HIV Social Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. m.hopwood@unsw.edu.au
Nakamura
Tamo
T
Treloar
Carla
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006526:Hepatitis C; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D012944:Social Support; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D055815:Young Adult