title: Concealment, communication and stigma: The perspectives of HIV-positive immigrant Black African men and their partners living in the United Kingdom.
abstract: This study explored the perspectives of Black men, originally from East Africa, living in the United Kingdom and their partners on what it means to live with diagnosed HIV. This article reports on concealment of HIV-positive status as a strategy adopted by the affected participants to manage the flow of information about their HIV-positive status. Analysis of the data, collected using in-depth interviews involving 23 participants, found widespread selective concealment of HIV-positive status. However, a few respondents had 'come out' publicly about their condition. HIV prevention initiatives should recognise concealment as a vital strategy in managing communication about one's HIV-positive status.
authors.affiliation: Karolinska Institutet, Sweden john.owuor@ki.se.|University of Huddersfield, UK.|Institute for Research on Migration, Ethnicity and Society (REMESO), Linköping University, Sweden.
authors.forename: John Oa
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Owuor
authors.affiliation: University of Huddersfield, UK.
authors.forename: Abigail
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Locke
authors.affiliation: University of Huddersfield, UK.
authors.forename: Bob
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Heyman
authors.affiliation: University of Huddersfield, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clifton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003142:Communication; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000208:ethnology
keywords: African immigrants; HIV; concealment; disclosure risks; family; psychosocial support; stigma