The Role of Early HIV Status Disclosure in Retention in HIV Care

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether nondisclosure or selective disclosure of HIV status to others is associated with retention in HIV care. 

This retrospective analysis evaluated the relationship of self-reported disclosure of HIV status as an indicator for poor retention in care (a gap in care >180 days) during the 12 months following initial entry into HIV care. Nondisclosure (disclosure to no one) and selective disclosure were compared to broad disclosure (referent). Univariate and multivariable (MV) logistic regression models were fit, including factors known to be associated with disclosure and retention in care. 

From 2007 to 2013, 508 HIV-infected patients presented to initiate care, of whom 63% were black, 54% had a CD4 + T lymphocyte count <350, and 82% were men (60% of whom were men who have sex with other men). Of these, 65 (13%) reported nondisclosure, 258 (49%) reported selective disclosure, and 185 (38%) reported broad disclosure. In MV analyses, nondisclosure was associated with poor retention in care (AOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.2, 4.2). 

Evaluating disclosure patterns among patients establishing HIV care may help predict and prevent inconsistent care. Further work is needed to understand the relationship between disclosure and retention in care in order to guide future interventions to improve HIV-outcomes.

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By:  Latesha Elopre, MD,¹ Edward W. Hook, MD,¹ Andrew O. Westfall, MS,¹ Anne Zinski, PhD,¹ Michael J. Mugavero, MD,¹ Janet Turan, PhD,² and Nicholas Van Wagoner, MD, PhD¹

¹Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.

²Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.

Address correspondence to:

Dr. Latesha Elopre

Department of Medicine ZRB 206

University of Alabama at Birmingham

1720 2^nd Ave South

Birmingham, AL 35294

E-mail: lelopre@uabmc.edu

 

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