PSYCHO-SOCIAL PREDICTORS OF SERO-STATUS DISCLOSURE AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS IN IBADAN

Abstract

It is evident that disclosure of HIV test results is important for effective treatment, support and care of persons living with HIV/AIDS. Disclosure of test results can be an effective action because it can facilitate the prevention of HIV transmission to sexual partners. In this light, it is important to encourage intervention programmes that promote VCT and disclosure of test results. These programmes can be effectively promoted only if people know the factors as well as the circumstances under which people show their test results to others. Although there are many people who voluntarily take an HIV test and who may also show the results of their test to others, no systematic studies have been carried out to thoroughly understand the dynamics that characterize the nature of disclosure. This study therefore sought to investigate the influence of HIV stress, locus of control and social support on serostatus disclosure among PLWAs.

The study adopted a descriptive survey method.  Two hundred PLWAs voluntarily participated in the study.  Four research instruments were used to elicit data from the participants.  These include HIV stress scale, locus of control scale, social support scale and serostatus disclosure scale.  Two research questions were answered using multiple regression analysis at 0.05 level of significance.

The result of this study found that the linear combination of the effect of HIV/AIDS Stress; Social Support; Health Locus of Control; on HIV/AIDS status disclosure was significant (F = 29.239, df = 3,196, P < 0.05).  The total variation accounted for by the independent variables was .299 (30%). 

It was observed that each of the independent variables had varying contributions to the dependent variable.  While HIV/AIDS stress had (b = 178, P <.05), Social Support had (b = .459, P <.05) and Health Locus of Control (b = .052, P >.05).   Thus, while HIV/AIDS Stress and Social Support were found individually significant, Health Locus of Control was not.

These findings were discussed and recommendations made, principal among which is that there is the challenge and urgent need to create a climate within families, communities and institutions in Nigeria where people feel safe and encouraged to self-disclose.