HIV seropositive disclosure and associated factors among adult HIV positive clients in public health facilities in East Wollega Zone, Oromia Regional State, Western Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND

Disclosure of HIV-seropositive is important for HIV prevention and maintenance of health for people living with HIV and the community at large. Although HIV seropositive disclosure is mandatory for access to care and treatment, there is a paucity of data in the study setting.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the magnitude of HIV Sero Positive Disclosure and associated factors among adult HIV positive clients in public health facilities in the east wollega zone, Oromia Regional State, Western Ethiopia, in 2023.

METHODS

A facility-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 250 adult HIV-positive clients in public health facilities in East Wollega Zone. Systematic sampling was used to select the study participants. Data were collected from February 1 to April 15, 2023, using a structured, pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire and reviewing patient cards using a checklist. Data were entered into Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done. In bivariable analyses, variables with a P-value <0.25 were candidates for the multivariable model; in the multivariable model, significant associations were declared at a P-value < 0.05 and reported by an adjusted odds ratio along with a 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS

The magnitude of HIV seropositive disclosure to at least one person was found to be 68.2% (95%CI = 62.5%, 73.9%). HIV seropositive disclosure was significantly associated with being married ((AOR = 5.47, 95%CI: 2.87-10.43), low knowledge level (AOR = 0.095, 95% CI = 0.017-0.54), and perceived community discrimination (AOR = 0.192, 95% CI = 0.050, 0.74).

CONCLUSION

This study reveals that HIV seropositive disclosure was low among the adult population living in the study area as compared to the other study findings. Disclosure of seropositives was significantly associated with marital status, knowledge level about the importance of disclosure, and perceived discrimination in societies. Healthcare providers and HIV prevention programme planners should provide health education about the importance of HIV disclosure and the stigma against HIV-positive patients by increasing society's awareness through appropriate channels.