Discussing HIV Status: Is It Easier After 10 Years of Antiretroviral Treatment? The ANRS CO8 APROCO-COPILOTE Cohort

Abstract

This study's objective was to explore the factors associated with the belief (or not) by people living with HIV that it is easier to talk about their seropositivity 10 years after initiating a protease inhibitor-containing ART. All patients in the ANRS CO8 APROCO-COPILOTE cohort who completed a self-administered questionnaire at 10 years of follow-up were included in this study. Forty-four percent of patients declared that discussing their seropositivity with their family was easier 10 years later, while 28 % declared this was true for discussing their status with a new sexual partner. Having a low socioeconomic status, not receiving social support from a steady partner and declaring a low number of discomforting symptoms 12 months after PI initiation were all independently associated with less difficulty in discussing seropositivity. This study highlights the difficulties in disclosing HIV 10 years after PI initiation, and the important influence of psychosocial factors and patients' daily-life experience on disclosure.

Work-related stigma and disclosure: A daily challenge for people living with HIV

“…The level of disclosure of PLWH among other persons (such as spouses and friends) was higher, ranging from 60-96% [8]. The increased level of knowledge among the general population is one of the reasons why, at least in these settings, discussing seropositivity is easier compared to a decade ago [6].…”

“…Disclosure of HIV diagnosis is a complex issue in daily living, with a considerable impact on the quality of life of PLWH [6]. The advantages of disclosure include safer sex, better (mental) health, more social support, and increased adherence to antiretroviral therapy [7][8][9], whereas the negative aspects of disclosure can include rejection, loneliness, stigma and discrimination [10].…”