Experiences of disclosure in women infected with HIV

In this qualitative focus group study, we explored issues of disclosure for women infected with HIV. The sample included 19 women who participated in one of four focus group sessions. Participants talked about and described their experiences sharing information about their HIV infection with others. Content analysis was used to code the data and identify major issues. Participants uniformly expressed concern about disclosing their HIV status because they expected and feared negative responses from others. Descriptions of disclosure revealed an evaluative process involving an analysis of potential risks and benefits. Three themes that represent concerns about disclosure were identified: discrimination, confidentiality, and the context of disclosure. Based on the findings, we concluded that these concerns are important factors influencing disclosure decisions and the use of supportive services and resources. The findings have implications for designing interventions to assist women in coping with the diagnosis of HIV and to promote their quality of life.