title: "It's my secret": fear of disclosure among sub-Saharan African migrant women living with HIV/AIDS in Belgium.
abstract: Patients with HIV not only have to deal with the challenges of living with an incurable disease but also with the dilemma of whether or not to disclose their status to their partners, families and friends. This study explores the extent to which sub-Saharan African (SSA) migrant women in Belgium disclose their HIV positive status, reasons for disclosure/non-disclosure and how they deal with HIV disclosure. A qualitative study consisting of interviews with twenty-eight SSA women with HIV/AIDS was conducted. Thematic content analysis was employed to identify themes as they emerged. Our study reveals that these women usually only disclose their status to healthcare professionals because of the treatment and care they need. This selective disclosure is mainly due to the taboo of HIV disease in SSA culture. Stigma, notably self-stigma, greatly impedes HIV disclosure. Techniques to systematically incorporate HIV disclosure into post-test counseling and primary care services are highly recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Agnes Ebotabe
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Arrey
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bilsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases-AIDS Reference Center, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lacor
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Reginald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deschepper
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000208:ethnology; D001530:Belgium / Q000208:ethnology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D014342:Truth Disclosure