HIV SEROSTATUS DISCLOSURE PATTERN AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN ENUGU, NIGERIA

Abstract

Summary This study was carried out in two medical facilities in Enugu, Nigeria, from September to November 2007. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from HIV-positive pregnant women accessing PMTCT (prevention of maternal-to-child transmission) services at the two centres. Ninety-two women were interviewed: 89 (96.7%) had disclosed their status, while 3 (3.3%) had not. Of the 89 women who had disclosed, 84 (94.4%) had disclosed to partners, 82 (92.1%) to husbands, 2 (2.2%) to fiancés, 18 (20.2%) to sisters, 13 (14.6%) to mothers, 10 (11.2%) to brothers, 10 (11.2%) to fathers and 10 (11.2%) to priests. Fifty-two (58.4%) gave emotional support as the reason for disclosure and 46 (51.7%) gave economic and financial support as reasons. Fifty-six (62.9%) reported understanding from partner as a positive outcome and 44 (49.4%) reported financial support. Forty-six (51.7%) reported no negative outcome. Serostatus disclosure rate in this study was high with most women disclosing to their partners.