The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #71215

Abimbola F. Idowu, MPA, Public Health Program, Morgan State University, 1700 East Coldspring Lane, Jenkins Hall, Room 343, Baltimore, MD 21251, 443-885-3238, aidowu@morgan.edu, Fernando Wagner, ScD, Drug Abuse Research Program, Morgan State University, 2201 Argonne Drive, Montebello D-103, Baltimore, MD 21218, and Rena G. Boss-Victoria, DrPH, MSN, RN, CNS, "Public Health Program", Morgan State University, 1700 E Cold Spring Lane, Jenkins Bldg, Room 343, Baltimore, MD 21251.

Background: Disclosure research on HIV-positive African American women among whom the epidemic grew during the second decade of the disease is scarce. Yet, HIV disclosure to non-health care provider is a major challenge for infected individual as to whom, when and why disclosure should be made. Disclosure is a critical factor for an HIV-positive woman. While not disclosing protects her from potentially negative repercussions, it also precludes her from receiving helpful social support, since others are unaware of her true-life situations. Objective: To conduct a comprehensive review of literature on disclosure issues among HIV-positive African American women, identify lessons learned and future directions for program developments. Methods: Peer reviewed articles and conference papers were identified and reviewed. Criteria for review included: type of study, design and sampling, statistical methods used, reasons for disclosure and non-disclosure, patterns of disclosure and lessons learned. Findings: Research has been mostly cross-sectional studies. Disclosure has been examined within various frameworks from simple dichotomous categories of disclosers/non-disclosers, disclosure at various symptomatic phases to, full disclosure, selective or secretive disclosures. Race, gender, economics, HIV-related stigma and position held by African American woman within family and community are factors in decision process of who,when and why to disclose. Conclusions: Development of anti-stigma outreach programs at both family and community levels will be starting points in addressing some disclosure related issues confronting HIV-positive African American woman. Health care providers could assist women through disclosure process. Long-term implications for prevention will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify critical predisposing factors and barriers in disclosure of serostatus.
• Recognize the magnitude of challenges faced by HIV-positive African American women in disclosure of status.
• Discuss need for partnership between health care providers, family and community to ease disclosure process

Keywords: Decision-Making, Women and HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.