HIV serodiscordant and nondisclosure rates among married women living with HIV in a Southern Nigerian region

Abstract

Objectives: Intimate sexual partners’ disclosure of HIV positive status is vital in the control of HIV/AIDS pandemic globally. The disclosure rates vary from region to region. The aim of this study was to document the prevalence of HIV serodiscordance and partners disclosure rate; and also determine the associated factors among HIV positive married women living in Calabar region of Nigeria. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 260 married women, 18 years and above, receiving HIV care at various health institutions in the region. Data were analyzed using SPSS VERSION 23. Their demographic and health profile were presented in simple proportion and percentages while Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to determine the factors influencing patient’s HIV status disclosure with the level of significance set at 0.05. Results: A total of 254 compiled questionnaires were included in the analysis (response rate-97.7%). The serodiscordant rate was 50%. HIV status disclosure to partner was high, 89.4%. The main determinants of HIV status disclosure were good level of education (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI: = 1.75–2.53, P = 0.007) and long duration of ART use (AOR = 3.23, 95% CI = 2.78–4.15, P = 0.001) while women with high discordant rate were more likely to be divorced/separated (P = 0.012, OR = 1.67). Conclusion: Female education is an important factor in HIV control. Disclosure of HIV status is beneficial to the partner as it promotes safe sex practices and increases adherence to ART.