Factors of HIV-positive serological status disclosure by patients followed up in the department of infectious diseases of Point G teaching hospital, Bamako, Mali.

Abstract

Introduction: Sharing HIV status would be a key element in the care of in People Living with HIV (PLHIV) There is lack of data on this disclosure in Mali. This study aimed to have preliminary data on the self-disclosure of HIV status PLHIV in Mali. Methods: We interviewed a sample of 302 HIV-positive patients on ARV and followed up in the Infectious Disease Unit at CHU Point G from May to August, 2018. Fisher or Chi-square test were used to analyze factors Results: These patients were predominantly female in 70.9% of cases (sex ratio = 2.4), the most represented age group was 45 years and older, the mean age was 42.8 ± 10, 5 years with a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 71 years. The non-educated accounted for 35.1%. The majority of patients were married (58.6%) and resided in Bamako and its surroundings. Most of them (73.2%) claimed they shared their HIV status in with at least one person in their entourage, the sharing was done most frequently with the spouse (47.6%). The reasons for patients to share their status were the sense of duty (27.1%), motivation to push the informed person to have an HIV test (19.4%) and the recognition due to the support provided by this person (12.5%). The reasons for not sharing were the fear of rejection (30,3%), the non-perception of the importance of informing the other because one is under treatment (24,2%) and lack of trust in others (18,2%). Factors influencing the sharing of HIV status were: marital status, positive reaction of patient at the test result announcement, duration of knowledge of HIV status. In addition, sharing his HIV status favored adherence to ARV therapy. Conclusion: The benefits of self-disclosure of HIV status appear in this survey and the factors influencing this disclosure are mainly the positive reaction of patient at the time of post test counseling. Health professional should pay particular attention to this counseling.